Real Madrid need to produce something special to keep their UEFA Champions League title defence alive next week.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team were blown away at Arsenal on April 8 as two Declan Rice free-kicks propelled Mikel Arteta’s hosts to a 3-0 quarterfinal first-leg win.
Ancelotti was firm in his post-match assessment of his players showing a ‘poor mental attitude’ in the second-half as Arsenal simply took control of the contest.
Jude Bellingham admitted the current European champions were fortunate to only concede three goals as the inquest into their performance continues back in Madrid.
Ancelotti’s charges head to Alaves in La Liga action this weekend – with a three-point gap in behind leaders Barcelona – before the second-leg against Arsenal on April 16.
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Home advantage and Real Madrid’s iconic ability to fightback in European action means the tie is not settled but something drastic needs to change.
Ancelotti is expected to make rotations for the visit of Arteta and more energy and bite is vital to at least rattle Arsenal’s nerves in Madrid.
That lack of force and purposeful drive was starkly evident in North London and UEFA’s post-game data is damning against Real Madrid.
The standout figure points at the team collective 113.56km ran by Arsenal compared to Los Blancos’ 101.16km in whopping gap of 12km.
Duels were also vital, and Arsenal won 34 to 26, as the numbers continue to rack up against Real Madrid.
Since the start of a mixed UCL season, Real Madrid have also faced the most shots against [79], with Arsenal facing the second-fewest [29].
That levels out at an average of six per game for Ancelotti, and two per 90 minutes for Arsenal, and underlines the starting point Ancelotti needs to address as he plots a comeback.
