Arsenal had taken a strong 3-0 advantage from the first leg of their quarter-final, and although Madrid’s players were confident they could stage another famous European comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu, it wasn’t to be. ..Continue Reading
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead in the 65th minute, deepening Madrid’s challenge. Though Vinicius Junior responded quickly, capitalizing on a mistake by William Saliba to level the match, it wasn’t enough.
Madrid struggled to create further danger, and Arsenal sealed their place in the semi-finals with a stoppage-time goal from Gabriel Martinelli, quieting the home crowd.
With the 2-1 victory on the night (5-1 on aggregate), Arsenal now move on to face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, the other semi-final clash will see Barcelona take on Inter.
In an interview with Movistar after Arsenal’s win, Arteta said of Ancelotti: ‘He’s been very affectionate.
‘He has told me that he hopes we win it and that he is happy for us.’
Meanwhile, Ancelotti’s future as Madrid’s manager is now in doubt after the club’s elimination from the Champions League.
Asked after the match if he believes he has taken charge of his final Champions League game with Madrid, Ancelotti replied: ‘It can happen, if the club decides to change.
‘There is no problem at all. The day I finish here, I can only do one thing, thank the club. If my contract ends or not, I don’t care.’
Ancelotti dismissed any speculation about stepping down following Real Madrid’s loss to Arsenal.
The veteran Italian coach remains one of the top candidates on the Brazilian Football Confederation’s shortlist to take charge of the national team ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
Brazil have been searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Dorival Junior, who was dismissed following a 4-1 defeat to Argentina in World Cup qualifying last month.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have been strongly linked with a possible return for former midfielder Xabi Alonso, whose contract as Bayer Leverkusen’s manager expires next year.
Alonso led Leverkusen to a historic domestic double last season, clinching both the Bundesliga and the German Cup. His team also came close to a treble but fell short in the Europa League final against Atalanta.
