Trailing 3-0, But This Is Real Madrid: Comeback or Collapse?

The Matchday Post | April 16, 2025

It’s not often that Real Madrid find themselves written off in a Champions League tie. But here they are 3-0 down, Arsenal surging and the Bernabéu bracing for either another historic miracle or the cold reality of elimination.

All eyes on the second leg tonight as football fans know better than to count out Los Blancos. Especially not at the Santiago Bernabéu, where the referees’ whistles sometimes go curiously quiet in critical moments (we’re just saying, you don’t win 14 Champions League titles with clean boots).

The Last English Hope

Aston Villa fought hard but were eliminated from the competition last night and the Gunners are now the last English club standing in the UCL. Mikel Arteta’s side don’t look like they’re here to merely survive arriving in Madrid with a comfortable three goal cushion.

The North Londoners were ruthless in the first leg, with two world class Declan Rice free-kicks. The question on everyone's mind tonight is - can they handle the heat when Madrid turn up the dial?

Will History Repeat Itself?

Real Madrid are no strangers to a comeback, especially in their own manor.

• 2022 vs PSG – Two goals down with 30 minutes to go? Enter Benzema. A hat-trick later the Parisians were gone.

• 2022 vs Man City – Trailing by two in the 89th minute, Rodrygo scored twice in two minutes and Benzema finished the game off in extra time.

• 2022 vs Chelsea – Almost blown out at home - then reeled it in with cold-blooded efficiency.

The Quiet Deciders

This tie will also be shaped by who can’t play. Real Madrid are missing defenders Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy as well as second-choice goalkeeper Andriy Lunin due to injury. Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is suspended after receiving a red card in the first leg. ​

Arsenal have serious injury issues of their own. Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Magalhães and Riccardo Calafiori are all sidelined.  Bukayo Saka has returned to full fitness and will likely start on the pitch. ​

That said, Madrid’s makeshift defense will be under immense pressure if Arsenal score early.

Real Madrid are currently second in La Liga, three points behind Barcelona, and have experienced mixed results recently. Arsenal, while facing challenges in the Premier League with consecutive draws, have demonstrated clinical execution in Europe.

Bookies Pick

After Manchester City’s exit, bookmakers have shifted. Barcelona and PSG lead the odds (2/1), with Arsenal close behind at 7/2. Madrid are 20/1 outsiders which makes them all the more dangerous.

And tonight? Well, don’t be surprised if the Bernabéu surprises once again.