Former Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has openly shared his thoughts on Wednesday night’s second-leg clash between Real Madrid and Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals.
This is one of the fixtures the whole world is eagerly awaiting. Heavily beaten in the first leg (3-0) last week, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will try to overturn the result in the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday evening. Despite the significant goal deficit, several factors suggest a comeback is still possible. Just a few hours before this highly anticipated clash — to be overseen by French referee François Letexier — Rafael Benitez has spoken his mind.
Benitez doesn’t really believe in a comeback
Speaking to Egyptian broadcaster MBC Masr 2, the 64-year-old coach doesn’t expect much. Given the strength of Mikel Arteta’s side, who overwhelmed Real Madrid’s defence last week, Rafa Benitez believes a miracle would be needed for a successful remontada. “A comeback by Real Madrid against Arsenal will be difficult because the English side is strong. Although the Bernabéu is a different experience, if the English score one goal, everything becomes more complicated. But deep down, I want Real Madrid to win and go through,” he admitted.
It’s a frank admission that says a lot about the challenge facing David Alaba, Dani Ceballos, and the rest of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad on Wednesday night. A few hours earlier, before Benitez’s comments, Jorge Valdano had already made it clear that the players alone wouldn’t be able to pull off a miracle. According to the former striker and Real Madrid manager, only the Santiago Bernabéu can inspire such a feat.
A complex situation for Ancelotti and his squad
One thing is clear: Real Madrid, who are going through a difficult season, remain far from pulling off a remontada. We’ll have to wait and see whether Carlo Ancelotti can once again turn the tide, as he has done several times in the past. Considering that Los Merengues have already lost several big games this season due to a lack of cohesion and collective effort, one might wonder how things could suddenly change this Wednesday night against the Gunners. If things don’t go well, it’s Carlo Ancelotti who will pay the price.
Under threat of dismissal for several months now, the Italian manager is also playing for his future at the helm of Real Madrid. According to several sources, elimination against Arsenal would mean the end of his time at the club come season’s end. To replace him, several managers are being considered — particularly Xabi Alonso, who is Florentino Pérez’s favourite. As for Rafael Benitez, who has been without a club since last season, he reportedly wouldn’t be against a return to Madrid.
In fact, when interviewed about his abrupt departure from Real in 2016, the 64-year-old coach refused to let Cristiano Ronaldo be blamed, as some have claimed he was behind it. “It’s not true that I left Real Madrid because of Cristiano Ronaldo. There was never any problem between us — he’s a great player and a phenomenon. I left because of internal issues at the club, but they had nothing to do with Ronaldo.”
A clear clarification.
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