'By the time we were back in the bus in London we were all believing that we could come back in the tie. The most word used in the dressing room in the last days is "Remontada"': Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham reveals confidence ahead of Arsenal clash

London, United Kingdom - April 8: Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Arsenal Stadium on April 8, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Real Madrid players dejected after losing to Arsenal 3-0 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has discussed the possibility of a comeback against Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Heading into the second leg 3-0 down and with a mammoth task ahead of them, Real Madrid are still confident they'll be able to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

At least, that's according to Jude Bellingham, who revealed the spirit inside the Real Madrid dressing room as they welcome Arsenal to the Bernabeu for what will no doubt be a frenetic and enthralling match.

Real Madrid are confident of overturning Champions League tie

Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are just two players to have ditched the social media platform in question Real Madrid and Arsenal

Real Madrid certainly have the quality to turn things around (Image credit: Getty Images)

“By the time we were back in the bus in London," Bellingham said in his pre-match press conference, "we were all believing that we could come back in the tie.

"We are going with the mentality that only a comeback is possible. We have confidence because of the clubs history and we also feel this team can make it special."

Declan Rice scores his second free-kick for Arsenal against Real Madrid in the Champions League in April 2025.

Rice's two free-kicks were sensational (Image credit: Getty Images)

He added: “The most word used in the dressing room in the last days is ‘Remontada’ (comeback)! Also people around us believe we can do it, this only happens at Real Madrid for sure.”

The 15-times Champions League winners, and current holders of the competition, certainly have the right to be confident, though there are some unfavourable statistics they'll also have to overcome if they're to get through against Arsenal.

Despite their huge success in the Champions League, Real Madrid have never managed to overturn a three-goal deficit from a first-leg defeat. The most they have ever achieved is from being 2-0 down on aggregate against Wolfsburg in 2016, with Los Blancos managing to win 3-0 in the return leg thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick.

Real Madrid and Arsenal have only ever met on two occasions prior to the 3-0 Gunners win at the Emirates last week, too, with the Madrid-based side failing to beat their English opponents then as well. The two sides previously played each other in the 2005/06 Champions League last 16, with a Thierry Henry-inspired 1-0 away victory in the Spanish capital followed up by a 0-0 draw back in London.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti celebrates with the UEFA Champions League trophy after his side's victory over Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley Stadium in London, UK on 1 June, 2024.

Real Madrid's Champions League legacy is unmatched (Image credit: Alamy)

In FourFourTwo's view, Bellingham and Real Madrid have every right to be confident against Arsenal, regardless of the sizeable task ahead of them. Time and again these players have proven their ability in the continental competition, with the likes of Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr all possessing the quality to turn the tie on its head in a matter of minutes.

An early goal for Real Madrid could change everything in the tie; not only would it cement their belief, but it would also enhance Arsenal's nerves in the process.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.