England Star Admits Los Blancos Were “Lucky” to Only Lose 3-0 as Champions League Hopes Hang by a Thread
Jude Bellingham delivered a scathing assessment of Real Madrid’s performance after their 3-0 thrashing by Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals, admitting his side were fortunate not to suffer an even heavier defeat at the Emirates.
The reigning European champions were outplayed for large periods on Tuesday night, with Declan Rice’s two stunning free-kicks and a clinical finish from Mikel Merino leaving Carlo Ancelotti’s men staring at a mountain to climb in next week’s second leg.
“We Were Nowhere Near It” – Bellingham’s Blunt Admission
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, the England midfielder pulled no punches in his verdict.
“We were nowhere near it, that’s the fact—and Arsenal were really good,” Bellingham said. “Two of the goals are really good free-kicks, but to be honest, they could have had way more. We got punished, and that’s what happens in these games.”
The 20-year-old refused to sugarcoat Madrid’s struggles, acknowledging their lack of cutting edge in the final third and Arsenal’s defensive resilience. “We had chances, but in these matches, you need to create more. Very rarely do you come here, score once, and go through. We just didn’t do enough.”
A Glimmer of Hope? “We Need Something Unbelievably Special”
Despite the sobering result, Bellingham insisted Madrid’s fight isn’t over—though he admitted they’ll need a miracle at the Bernabéu.
“There’s a second leg, and we’re holding onto it. We’ll need something unbelievably special,” he said. “You never know, but I can’t come out and say we’ll give up. It’s not in the nature of the club or the mentality they instill in you.”
What Went Wrong for Madrid?
- Defensive Vulnerabilities: Arsenal exploited gaps in Madrid’s backline, with Rice’s set-piece brilliance exposing their lack of resistance.
- Lack of Cutting Edge: Despite moments of possession, Madrid failed to test David Raya enough, with Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo kept quiet.
- Midfield Overrun: Bellingham, usually so influential, was stifled by Arsenal’s press, leaving Madrid struggling to build momentum.
Can Madrid Pull Off a Remontada?
History shows Real Madrid are no strangers to Champions League comebacks—but overturning a three-goal deficit against an in-form Arsenal side is a monumental task.
“We’re still alive,” Bellingham insisted. “We still have 90 minutes.”
Yet after such a dominant Arsenal display, even the most optimistic Madridistas will know: their team must produce something truly extraordinary to keep their European dream alive.
Next Up:
- Second Leg: Real Madrid vs. Arsenal – Wed, April 17, 8pm (BST) – Santiago Bernabéu
- The Stakes: No away goals rule means Madrid must win by at least three—or force extra time with a 3-0 victory.
For now, Arsenal hold all the cards. But as Bellingham warned—“You never know.”
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