French forward Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid in search of Champions League glory, hoping to be on the right side of exactly the kind of magical night they need against Arsenal on Wednesday if they are to progress to the semi-finals.
Arsenal lead 3-0 after dismantling the holders in London last week in the quarter-final first leg, leaving Madrid craving the sort of dramatic comeback the 15-time winners are renowned for.
Returning from a three-goal setback would be a step above what Los Blancos have accomplished thus far, but that is precisely why they attempted to entice Mbappe to the club for years.
The French superstar’s explosive edge gives Madrid hope of accomplishing what looks to be nearly impossible.
“Of course we can,” declared Mbappe on his way out of the Emirates last Tuesday, headed to the squad van following Arsenal’s stunning triumph.
Declan Rice scored two superb free kicks, and Mikel Merino added a third to help Mikel Arteta’s side advance to the final four.
Arsenal will be fully aware that the job is not yet finished, having witnessed Mbappé’s devastating impact against Premier League champions Manchester City earlier this season.
Mbappe scored three goals against Pep Guardiola’s team in the play-off round at the Santiago Bernabeu in February, allowing Madrid to defeat City 6-3 on aggregate.
The striker was sent off for a violent challenge against Alaves in La Liga on Sunday, putting his teammates under strain, but he can make amends with a standout performance against Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid salvaged a 1-0 win, and Mbappé only played 38 minutes before his departure, so he should be fresh for Wednesday.
Mbappé has 33 goals in 49 games across all competitions this season, equal to Madrid’s all-time best striker Cristiano Ronaldo’s total from his debut season with the club.
Mbappé failed to win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain throughout his seven seasons, and in 2022, he was at the centre of a stunning Real Madrid comeback.
PSG led 1-0 from the last 16 first leg, with Mbappe on target, and he netted his second goal of the tie to give the French side the advantage at the Bernabeu.
It sparked Real Madrid into life, and a remarkable 17-minute Karim Benzema hat-trick turned the tie around, propelling Los Blancos into the quarter-finals and ultimately lifting the trophy.
Mbappé stated his treble against Man City was exactly the kind of night he was wanting.
“I’ve been dreaming of moments like this since I was a kid, to play for this club and to feel what it’s like on a big night at the Bernabeu,” said the Frenchman.
“A lot of people have told me about it, but now I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and I hope we’ll have many more.”
Madrid made a stunning comeback to beat Man City in 2022, despite trailing 5-3 on aggregate in the final minutes of the semi-final second leg, progressing 6-5 in the end.
In the 2014 final against rivals Atletico, they trailed 1-0 until Sergio Ramos headed home in the 93rd minute to force extra-time, with Los Blancos winning 4-1 to claim ‘La Decima’, their 10th Champions League trophy.
They also overturned a 2-0 quarter-final first leg deficit against Wolfsburg in 2016, winning the second leg 3-0 with a Ronaldo hat-trick.
Mbappé would dearly love to match the Portuguese forward’s accomplishment against Arsenal.
“At the Santiago Bernabeu, comebacks are always on everyone’s lips,” said Ronaldo.
Madrid and comebacks have been synonymous since the 1980s, when winger Juanito took part in numerous, including the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1985.
“90 minutes at the Bernabeu is a long time,” he cautioned Inter Milan after the hosts won the first leg 2-0 in Italy. Madrid went on to win 3-0.
Mbappé came to Madrid to add to their great legacy, and Arsenal’s visit gives the ideal opportunity.
“We have to believe; we have to have confidence,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti last week. “Because sometimes, quite often at the Bernabeu, it happens.”
