Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Bellingham: QF 2nd leg 'a night made for Madrid'

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 15 April 2025 11:31

Jude Bellingham has said Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Arsenal is "a night made for Real Madrid," backing his team to deliver a comeback "that would go down in history" at the Bernabéu.

Madrid are famed for their Champions League comebacks -- including in their run to the 2022 final, when they upset the odds to eliminate Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City at the Bernabéu -- but have never overturned a 3-0 first leg deficit.

The European champions were poor last week at the Emirates, collapsing to concede three goals in 17 minutes during the second half, but speaking in a pre-match news conference on Tuesday, Bellingham said Madrid are "confident" of producing another comeback.

"I've heard it a million times since last week," Bellingham said. "It's a night made for Real Madrid, a night that would go down in history ... It's a weird environment. [Losing 3-0] was one of the worst results we could possibly imagine away, and for some reason everyone thinks it's nailed on that we'll come back. It's a nice feeling in a way."

Bellingham joined Madrid in 2023, winning a Champions League and LaLiga double in his debut season, and has already been involved in some memorable comebacks of his own, including last year's semifinal when forward Joselu scored two late goals in two minutes at the Bernabéu to knock out Bayern Munich.

"It's something you want to be a part of, to add to the history of this club," Bellingham said, when asked about the prospect of another comeback against Arsenal. "There's not much you can do at this club that hasn't been done before, and tomorrow we want to do something for the first time."

"What makes us confident is the quality we have, the history of the club, the aura of the Bernabéu," Bellingham added. "I think we felt that even though we played as badly as we possibly could [in the first leg], we still had chances, moments, where it felt like if we just increased our level and were more attentive, we could be in [the game]."

Madrid have faced criticism for their performances in recent weeks, going three games without a win -- a 4-4 draw with Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey, a 2-1 defeat to Valencia and the Arsenal loss -- before Saturday's narrow 1-0 win at Alavés.

"We've definitely shown in some games this year that we're capable of doing something special," Bellingham insisted. "I've got to be confident in the team, and that's nothing to do with history. It's to do with the lads I see in training every single day."

Coach Carlo Ancelotti said he "doesn't think" that Wednesday's result will decide his future as manager -- amid speculation that the Italian could depart this summer if Madrid fail to land major trophies -- and said forward Kylian Mbappé is "motivated" after his red card against Alavés.

"He was hurt, and disappointed," Ancelotti said. "He trained well yesterday ... We have to score goals, and this season he's scored a lot of goals. We need his goals more than ever tomorrow."

Read 3 times

Soccer

Luis Enrique: Semi-bound PSG world's 'best squad'

Luis Enrique: Semi-bound PSG world's 'best squad'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsParis Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique hailed his squad as the best...

Rashford's future undecided after Villa UCL exit

Rashford's future undecided after Villa UCL exit

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBIRMINGHAM, England -- Unai Emery said Marcus Rashford's future at...

Flick has to remind glum Barça: We're in semis

Flick has to remind glum Barça: We're in semis

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDORTMUND, Germany -- Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he had to rem...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Anthony carries Magic past Hawks into playoffs

Anthony carries Magic past Hawks into playoffs

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsORLANDO, Fla. -- Cole Anthony came off the Magic bench with 26 poin...

Follow live: Butler, Warriors keeping Grizzlies on edge in hunt for 7-seed

Follow live: Butler, Warriors keeping Grizzlies on edge in hunt for 7-seed

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies are facing off in t...

Baseball

Nats' DeJong hit in face with pitch, to have scan

Nats' DeJong hit in face with pitch, to have scan

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPITTSBURGH -- Washington Nationals third baseman Paul DeJong was hi...

Cubs option top prospect Shaw to Triple-A

Cubs option top prospect Shaw to Triple-A

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN DIEGO -- The Chicago Cubs have optioned top prospect Matt Shaw...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated