Actual Madrid are within the unfamiliar place of being underdogs forward of their Champions League tie towards Arsenal, with Los Blancos hoping to overturn a three-goal deficit.
It isn’t usually that the 15-time European champions are in such a bleak place, but when there’s one group in Europe you would not put a miraculous comeback previous, it is Madrid.
Sadly for Arsenal, the Champions League (and the European Cup) has seen loads of Actual comebacks, as if there was any reminder wanted that this tie is much from over.
Right here, we have a look again at 8 instances Actual Madrid staged a Champions League comeback when all seemed misplaced.
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With the play-off spherical upon us, here is a take a look at one of the best knockout ties the Champions League has thrown up through the years.
1
Actual Madrid 6-5 Derby County (aet)
1975/76 European Cup second spherical
Maybe Actual’s most spectacular comeback in European competitors, Los Blancos by some means fought again from a 4-1 first-leg defeat to win after additional time on the Santiago Bernabeu.
A hat-trick from ex-Arsenal ahead Charlie George appeared to have put English champions Derby County in full management, even when Roberto Martinez (not that one) struck early within the return leg.
However quickfire second-half targets from Martinez and Santillana received Madrid inside touching distance, with George’s comfort making little distinction.
A late Pirri penalty arrange an additional interval, the place Santillana received the eventual winner to lastly put Actual in entrance, 189 minutes into the tie.
2
Actual Madrid 3-2 Celtic
1979/80 European Cup quarter-finals
Actual have been at it once more as Celtic seemed on the verge of securing an outstanding outcome following a 2-0 success at Parkhead.
Nevertheless, the second leg noticed the house aspect finally take management, with Santillana’s aim on the stroke of half-time establishing a tense second interval.
Following Uli Stielike’s equaliser, Actual accomplished their comeback late on by means of Juanito’s late header.
3
Actual Madrid 4-4 Purple Star Belgrade
1986/87 European Cup quarter-finals
Having been 3-0 down at one level within the tie, Actual Madrid’s away-goal victory over Purple Star Belgrade is effectively worthy of a point out.
A brace from Hugo Sanchez gave Los Blancos a preventing probability forward of their house leg, the place they did not disappoint in entrance of their supporters.
Emilio Butragueno’s opener received the ball rolling, earlier than a second-half header from Manolo Sanchis gave Madrid essentially the most slender of leads.
Madrid held on to safe one other comeback win, however they have been overwhelmed by Bayern Munich within the semis.
4
Actual Madrid 4-3 Bayern Munich
1987/88 European Cup quarter-finals
Actual Madrid received their revenge on the Bavarians a 12 months later, even after lulling the German aspect right into a seemingly protected 3-0 lead.
Los Blancos did not get on the scoresheet till 85 minutes into the primary leg after a mix-up within the Bayern defence gifted Butragueno what had seemed like a useful comfort.
Actual then halved the deficit on the Olympiastadion by means of Sanchez, permitting them to complete the job on house soil.
Finely taken targets from Milan Jankovic and Michel have been sufficient to see Madrid by means of to the final 4, displaying as soon as once more {that a} Bernabeu return leg is one thing to be feared.
5
Actual Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (aet)
2013/14 Champions League ultimate
The fashionable period has additionally had its fair proportion of Madrid comebacks. Whereas Actual’s restoration within the 2014 ultimate was not from an enormous deficit, it was however a sport the place they have been moments from defeat.
Diego Godin’s aim seemed to have given the La Liga champions a winner that may have secured a primary Champions League triumph, however Sergio Ramos’ header deep into added time arrange an additional interval.
From then on, Actual took management with three targets within the second half of additional time. Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored to seal ‘La Decima’ for Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect.
6
Actual Madrid 3-2 Wolfsburg
2015/16 Champions League quarter-finals
Actual Madrid have been left shellshocked by a 2-0 defeat in Germany to an unfancied Wolfsburg aspect caught in mid-table within the Bundesliga.
However Madrid turned across the tie fully inside 90 minutes prefer it was nothing, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick gave Los Blancos their quarter-final berth on their solution to the trophy in 2016.
Wolfsburg had probabilities of their very own to seal it for themselves, however Ronaldo’s third – a free-kick by means of the guests’ wall – handed Actual yet one more comeback victory.
7
Actual Madrid 6-5 Man Metropolis (aet)
2021/22 Champions League semi-finals
Actual have been absolutely the epitome of being lifeless and buried of their semi-final tie with Manchester Metropolis in 2022 earlier than miraculously pulling two targets out of nowhere.
Metropolis seemed set for consecutive Champions League ultimate appearances when Riyad Mahrez had put Metropolis in entrance on the Bernabeu, stretching their mixture result in 5-3.
With time ticking into the ninetieth minute, Rodrygo nipped in for what would certainly have been a comfort, with solely six added minutes remaining.
Rodrygo solely wanted another to improbably stage the scores, heading in from Dani Carvajal’s cross.
Karim Benzema then completed Metropolis off in additional time as Actual Madrid made one other Champions League ultimate.
8
Actual Madrid 4-3 Bayern Munich
2023/24 Champions League semi-finals
By this level, Actual Madrid’s never-say-die angle within the Champions League was frequent information, a lot in order that even with Bayern Munich on the verge of a semi-final victory in 2024, they by no means actually felt protected.
Madrid had salvaged a first-leg draw because of Vinicius Jr.’s penalty, however when Alphonso Davies spectacularly put Bayern in entrance on the Bernabeu, the Bavarians have been favourites to progress to the ultimate.
An unlikely hero in Joselu rescued Actual two minutes from time, pouncing on Manuel Neuer’s mistake to stage issues once more.
And simply when the perimeters should have been mentally making ready for additional time, the previous Newcastle United striker despatched Actual to Wembley after a VAR examine dramatically allowed his winner to face, cueing mass celebrations.
Actual Madrid would want to carry out comparable heroics to repeat these scenes towards Arsenal, and historical past appears to trace that something is feasible.
