Kylian Mbappe has made his way to Real Madrid, driven by the pursuit of Champions League success, and he will be looking for a memorable evening against Arsenal on Wednesday that could see them advance to the semi-finals.
The Gunners are currently in the driving seat with a 3-0 advantage, having convincingly defeated the reigning champions in London during the first leg of the quarter-finals, leaving Madrid yearning for the type of dramatic resurgence for which they are famously known.
Overturning a three-goal deficit would be a monumental feat, surpassing anything Los Blancos have achieved thus far, which is precisely why they’ve sought to recruit Mbappe for years.
The explosive talent of the French international gives Madrid a glimmer of hope to achieve what many deem nearly impossible.
“Of course we can,” Mbappe declared as he departed the Emirates last Tuesday, making his way to the team bus following Arsenal’s remarkable win.
Declan Rice showcased his brilliance with two exquisite free-kicks, and Mikel Merino’s strike provided a third goal that has put Mikel Arteta’s squad on the brink of reaching the final four.
Arsenal are likely aware that their task is far from finished, especially after witnessing Mbappe’s devastating performance against Premier League champions Manchester City earlier this season.
Mbappe delivered a hat-trick against Guardiola’s men in February at the Santiago Bernabeu during the play-off stages, propelling Madrid to eliminate City with an aggregate score of 6-3.
Despite receiving a red card for a reckless tackle against Alaves in LaLiga on Sunday, which placed extra pressure on his teammates, he has a chance to redeem himself with a standout performance on home soil against Arsenal.
Madrid managed a narrow 1-0 victory, and with Mbappe only playing 38 minutes before his sending-off, he should be fresh for the crucial match on Wednesday.
This season, Mbappe has scored 33 goals in 49 matches across all competitions, matching the record of Madrid’s all-time top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, in his debut season with the club.
‘Big night’
During his seven years with Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe was unable to lift the Champions League trophy, and in 2022, he experienced a dramatic comeback from Real Madrid first-hand.
PSG was ahead 1-0 after the first leg of the round of 16, with Mbappe scoring, and he added another to give them the lead at the Bernabeu.
This sparked Real Madrid’s intensity, culminating in a phenomenal 17-minute hat-trick from Karim Benzema that turned the tie in favour of Los Blancos, sending them on their way to winning the trophy.
Mbappe expressed that his treble against Man City was the type of unforgettable night he has always yearned for.
“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.
“Many have shared these experiences with me, but seeing it for myself has been incredible, and I hope we can have many more together.”
In 2022, Madrid orchestrated a remarkable comeback against Man City, overcoming a 5-3 aggregate deficit in the latter stages of the semi-final second leg to eventually win 6-5.
The most significant comeback in their history came during the 2014 final against rivals Atletico, where they were trailing 1-0 until Sergio Ramos scored in the 93rd minute to take the match into extra time, ultimately winning 4-1 to secure ‘La Decima’, their tenth Champions League title.
They have also managed to overturn a 2-0 quarter-final first leg deficit against Wolfsburg in 2016, winning the return match 3-0 with a hat-trick by Ronaldo.
Mbappe aspires to replicate the Portuguese striker’s achievements in the upcoming match against Arsenal.
“At the Santiago Bernabeu, comebacks are always a topic of discussion,” Ronaldo remarked.
Since the 1980s, Madrid has been synonymous with remarkable comebacks, with winger Juanito being pivotal in several, including the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1985.
“Ninety minutes at the Bernabeu is a long time,” he warned Inter Milan after they had taken a 2-0 lead in the first leg in Italy; Madrid eventually triumphed 3-0, leading to their victory.
Mbappe arrived at Madrid with the ambition of contributing to their illustrious history, and Arsenal’s visit offers the perfect stage for him to shine.
“We need to believe and have confidence,” stated coach Carlo Ancelotti last week. “Because sometimes, often at the Bernabeu, these comebacks become a reality.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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