Real Madrid Focused on Arsenal Clash Despite Outside Criticism

TDT | Manama

Email : hussianm@newsofbahrain.com

Real Madrid are gearing up for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium tonight, with manager Carlo Ancelotti urging his players to tune out the external noise ahead of what promises to be a thrilling clash.

With six Champions League titles in the last decade, Real Madrid have set a sky-high standard, and expectations soared further with the addition of France captain Kylian Mbappe. However, the team has encountered some inconsistency this season, leading to frustration among fans. Despite winning last season's Champions League and LaLiga titles, Real have struggled in recent weeks, suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Valencia on Saturday, leaving them second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona with eight games remaining.

Ancelotti, however, is unfazed by the criticism, focusing instead on the upcoming challenge. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, he stressed that his side must block out distractions and focus on the task at hand.

“We can’t think about criticism when we have a game every three days,” Ancelotti said. “What we do is analyse each game and prepare for the next one. Tomorrow's game is very important, but it's only the first 90 minutes of the tie. It is not decisive because there are another 90 minutes to be played at the Santiago Bernabeu next week.”

Real Madrid's experience in the Champions League, combined with their recent knockout-stage victories over Manchester City and Atlético Madrid, should give them confidence ahead of today’s encounter. Ancelotti, who has led the club through numerous high-pressure situations, remains resolute about his team's potential.

“If I didn’t believe we were going to win titles this season, I would have quit already, I would consider a holiday,” Ancelotti said. “We are here to fight for all the titles until the end, no matter what. If it doesn't work out, we have to think about next season, but that is not the case yet.”

With their pedigree in European competitions, Real Madrid are determined to rise to the occasion and make a statement in their first-leg tie against Arsenal, despite the pressure mounting from critics and expectations alike.