Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham sat in front of a packed press room, trying not to smile too broadly when asked if he believed in a “remontada.” He admitted the word had been echoing around the dressing room ever since Arsenal’s 3-0 first-leg triumph in London. “I’ve heard it a million times this week,” he said. “We’ve seen so many videos and reminders of what this club has done in the past.”
Still, Bellingham knows belief alone won’t be enough. Carlo Ancelotti‘s men must run harder, push smarter, and finish with precision. “We ran 14 kilometers less than Arsenal,” Bellingham noted. “That’s basically a whole extra player. It’s not just about running, but knowing where to run. You can’t do that if you’re not organized.”
He also confessed his surprise at seeing Declan Rice hammer home two free-kicks, a feat he hadn’t witnessed from his England teammate before. “I knew he could take corners well, but I’ve never seen him do that with free-kicks,” Bellingham said. Even so, he insists it’s just another challenge on a night he believes is “tailor-made” for Real Madrid.
A night made for Madrid?
Throughout the club’s history, nights like this have become legend. Memories of overturning deficits against PSG, Manchester City, and others still drift through the halls of the Bernabéu. “Those experiences are contagious,” Bellingham explained. “By the time we were back on the bus in London, it felt like we were already focused on how to turn this around.”
Ancelotti knows the balance between passion and poise is crucial. He called for “head, heart, and guts,” demanding his players ride the surge of emotion without losing their tactical shape. “It’s not magic,” he insisted. “We need clarity on the pitch as much as we need belief in the stands.”
If Madrid are to close a three-goal gap, they must find that extra gear. Bellingham is convinced it can be done, no matter how grim the stats appear. “It’s a different night, innit,” he said with a grin. “We can’t ignore how good Arsenal are, but people around here seem to think it’s done that we’ll come back. It’s infectious.”
There’s no guarantee Real Madrid will pull off yet another improbable feat. But if there’s a stage built for this club’s enduring mystique, Wednesday night at the Bernabéu might just be it.
