Absolute Shipwreck of Real Madrid at Fly Emirates. Access to the Champions League semifinals will require a new dose of epic. The 3-0 achieved by Arsenal complicates, and greatly, the existence of the white team.
Ancelotti surprised by placing Valverde again on the right side, Alaba on the left, and bringing Camavinga into the midfield alongside Modric and Bellingham.
His players didn't listen to him. He asked for a lot of attention in defense before the match, but they didn't listen to him. The intensity required by the match wasn't seen in Real Madrid either.
Vinícius and Rodrygo, Missing in Action
In front, something from Mbappé in the first half. Little else, Vinícius and Rodrygo, missing in action.
The first half was of overwhelming pressure from Arsenal, who had their chances to score, although Real Madrid also had theirs.
The pressure at Fly Emirates was immense, but Real Madrid didn't lose face in the match and replied with two clear opportunities from Mbappé to Arsenal's warnings. Always on the right, with Saka and Odegaard and with Alaba in front.
There was an involuntary handball inside the area in the 13th minute that was checked by VAR without consequences. Real Madrid played cautiously while Arsenal took risks looking for the goal.
Madrid played more together this time. The players ran, as Ancelotti asked. Raya prevented the two goals that Mbappé had at his feet, but Courtois saved in extremis two shots from Rice and Martinelli in the same play.
The best of the first half, the result: 0-0. But everything would change in the second. Arsenal came out to win and Real Madrid to see it coming.
A Hellish Quarter of an Hour and Three Goals Conceded
Rice scored the 1-0 and 2-0 identically, in a masterful free-kick in both cases, although in the first the wall played its part. The second was unappealable.
The 3-0 could have come in a furious burst that forced Courtois and Alaba to save three point-blank shots in the same play.
The 3-0 came through Mikel Merino, very loose at the edge of the area. In a hellish quarter of an hour, Arsenal put the tie in their favor.
Now we are in the hands of miracles, but there remains the bad conscience that Real Madrid could have done something more at Fly Emirates. They barely stepped into the area with the 3-0 and that historic attitude was missed in Real Madrid's players.
Once again, we must appeal to the epic of Bernabéu.