As Real Madrid gears up for their crucial Champions League clash with Arsenal, Jude Bellingham has shared a glimpse into the team’s mindset.
The England international revealed the one word that’s been on everyone’s lips in the dressing room: Remontada.
The Challenge Ahead for Los Blancos
The Spanish giants face a daunting challenge after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in London.
With two incredible free-kicks from Declan Rice setting up the loss, Real Madrid now need a massive turnaround in the second leg at the Bernabeu to keep their Champions League dreams alive.
Bellingham’s upbeat attitude hints that the team hasn’t given up hope yet, despite the uphill battle ahead.
The reigning champions will need something extraordinary to overturn the deficit and secure a spot in the semifinals.
The Power of “Remontada”
Bellingham explained that the word Remontada has been echoing through the locker room as the players prepare for the challenge.
This Spanish term has come to symbolize those unforgettable moments when a team stages an incredible comeback against all odds.
The most iconic example of this was Barcelona’s unforgettable Remontada against PSG in the 2016-17 Champions League Round of 16.
After losing 4-0 in the first leg, Barcelona defied expectations and pulled off a dramatic 6-5 aggregate win, a game that remains one of the greatest comebacks in football history.
A Shared Belief in the Comeback
Bellingham admitted that the team initially found themselves in low spirits after the loss at the Emirates, but they quickly regained belief.
“By the time we were back on the coach, we all realized that we were still in the competition.
“It was almost immediate that we knew a comeback was possible,” he said.
His words highlight the collective trust the team has in their ability to bounce back, even after a tough defeat.
For Bellingham, this belief in a Remontada represents not only faith in their talent but also the immense effort and investment that Real Madrid has poured into the club.
While there is a pressure to perform, he feels this is what playing for a top club like Real Madrid is all about.
Pressure, Confidence, and Trust
Despite the daunting task ahead, Bellingham acknowledged the weight of expectations.
“There is a pressure that comes along with that for sure,” he said.
“We want to deliver on what everyone believes we can do. That is what it’s all about.”
With that pressure comes confidence, though—confidence in their abilities and in the legacy of the club.
Ancelotti’s Call for Courage
Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, also echoed the sentiment, warning Arsenal that a Remontada could very well be on the horizon.
“Remontada? We will try. It happened many times. We will try until the last minute,” Ancelotti stated.
The manager’s words are a reminder that Real Madrid is a club known for its resilience and history of comebacks.
And with the second leg looming, Ancelotti is urging his players to step up to the challenge, encouraging them to play with their heads, hearts, and “balls.”
A Tough Road Ahead
Real Madrid heads into the game following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves, while Arsenal comes off a 1-1 draw at home against Brentford.
Despite their contrasting results, both teams know that anything can happen when the Champions League is on the line.
With the Bernabeu crowd behind them, Real Madrid will be hoping that the Remontada mentality can fuel them to an unforgettable comeback and keep their European dreams alive.