Corrected on the outward journey by Arsenal, Mbappé and Real Madrid back to the wall

“The chances are very thin, but we have to try. »» Carlo Ancelotti accused the blow a week ago, after the scathing reverse inflicted on Real Madrid on the lawn of Arsenal, in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League (3-0). Overlapping, the team of the legendary Italian coach had displayed a gloomy face, in reverse of the London red tide which swallowed it to the Emirates Stadium.

The reflex was not to draw hasty conclusions, both among neutral observers and in Spanish or English camps. Because recent history has proven it, impossible is not Real Madrid. “We know what awaits us”evacuated Mikel Arteta, coach of the Gunners. On the path of their European coronation in 2022, the Merengues had chained the reversals of the situation: in 8^es final against PSG, in quarters against Chelsea and half against Manchester City. With a point in common on each round: the second round had played at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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“The greatness of this club is that it never lets you give up. When everything seems lost, he gives you the strength to continue, to fight, to believe it ”ignited Ancelotti at the time. The only coach having raised the cup five times to the big ears, he revealed that he had broadcast in the locker room, before the semi-final return against City, a motivation video compiling all the aspects of the team that season. The refusal to die of Real Madrid in the Champions League is not a myth. Until the reality on the ground brings him back to earth.

Kroos does not recognize “his” Real Madrid

This was the case in 2023, with a football lesson administered by City at the gates of the final (1-1 on the outward journey, 4-0 on the return). Against Arsenal, last Tuesday, Real was punished for its lack of intensity, its faults, which offered two free kicks converted into goals to Declan Rice, and above all sank after half time. Toni Kroos, a key element of Real between 2014 and 2024, did not recognize his former team. “Their body language seemed to say:” Please don't mark a fourth. ” It's weird, because it has never been like that, no matter our opponent ”worried about the former 35 -year -old German environment, a young retired.

In the absence of a great collective force, evidenced by its last two outings in the Spanish championship (defeat against Valence 1-2 and victory in Alavés 0-1), Real may rely on individualities. And none is as expected as Kylian Mbappé. He who had put Ko Manchester City from a triplet in a dam back two months ago (3-1 victory). He who was able to count on his club for the cover during the last tumultuous months, from his absence in the French team to his controversial stay in Sweden. Ancelotti has continued to defend him, judging his inconstancy “Normal during such a demanding season”. If the world champion finally found his marks after a complicated beginnings, he was not decisive in 8^es final against Atlético de Madrid or quarter to go against Arsenal. He is waiting for this next goal which will bring him to 34 achievements, one more than his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, during his first season at Real. Become the equal of the top scorer in the history of the Merengues (450 goals)? “He is able to do it”Pense Ancelotti.

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It is to panic the statistics and garnish his record that Mbappé, 26, joined the club with fifteen champions leagues, including that of last year. Rightly or wrongly, without a revolt initiated by himself on Wednesday, he will be pointed out and will be recalled that, without him, realized him. Everything will not be discarded in the event of elimination, but it will then be difficult for Le Bondynois and his family to save their season. There will be a King Cup final on April 26, against FC Barcelona, ​​to wash the affront of the Spanish Super Cup (2-5 defeat on January 12). There will also be La Liga, where Real is four points from Barça, leader, with whom he will move for yet another and bubbling Clasico on May 11. He will surely have to win and, at the same time, make a flawless, knowing that his next three championship games could take place without Mbappé, sanctioned with a red card for a nasty sole against Alavés last Sunday.

Race at the Golden Ball at stake

By this bad gesture, the Frenchman offered a golden opportunity to the Catalan press to be on him (“Unforgivable”, “Criminal”…), And there is no doubt that a new Real's miscarriage without him in liga would fall on him. In the worst scenarios, there will remain the Club World Cup and its unprecedented version, bringing together 32 teams from June 15 to July 13 in the United States. What value is granting it, knowing that Barça and Arsenal, among others, are not invited? This is not what would plug the back of a road trip to the Champions League or that would relaunch Mbappé in the Golden Ball race.

Full for the former Parisian: he could be doubled by his former teammate Ousmane Dembélé not only for the individual Grail, but also for this C1, which has always fled PSG, even with Mbappé, and which the latter thought (logically) approaching by crossing the Pyrenees. “We must believe it to the end”he encouraged in an Instagram publication at the end of the quarter-final go to London. Believe it without Eduardo Camavonga, suspended, but with Aurélien Tchouameni, back from suspension. It will take the stars (Vinicius, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham) in tune, involved in attack as in defense, to force the lock laid by the Bondynois of Arsenal, William Saliba, and not to take a goal that would head the task even more. In short, it will be necessary to reverse a mountain. A tradition for Real in the Champions League.