Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
Spanish Press Reacts Furiously to Real Madrid’s Champions League Defeat Against Arsenal
Real Madrid suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, prompting a barrage of criticism from the Spanish press. The resounding loss has put Carlo Ancelotti’s side on the brink of elimination, and Spanish newspapers have not held back in their assessments of the team’s performance at the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners Dominate Out-of-Sorts Madrid
Arsenal delivered a stellar performance on Tuesday, completely outplaying Real Madrid. Two exceptional free-kicks from Declan Rice, coupled with a goal from Mikel Merino, secured a comfortable victory for the Gunners. The Spanish giants appeared disjointed and struggled to contain Arsenal’s attacking prowess.
This significant setback leaves Real Madrid facing an uphill battle to overturn the deficit in the return leg at the Bernabeu. While historically they have orchestrated remarkable comebacks in European competitions, the scale of this defeat presents a formidable challenge.
Camavinga Red Card Adds to Madrid’s Woes
Several Real Madrid players failed to perform to their usual standards at the Emirates. To compound matters, Eduardo Camavinga’s dismissal in added time means he will be suspended for the crucial second leg, further weakening Ancelotti’s options.
“Humiliated” – Spanish Media Lay into Real Madrid
The Spanish media reacted sharply to the defeat, with scathing headlines and assessments of Real Madrid’s performance.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
- Mundo Deportivo‘s front page emblazoned with the headline ‘Humillados’ (Humiliated) over a photo of one of Rice’s goals, captured the prevailing sentiment.
- Sport featured a dejected Jude Bellingham on their front page, with the headline ‘Tocadisimos’, simply translating to ‘we played’, indicative of the team’s lackluster showing.
The Spanish press have lambasted Real Madrid after their dreadful 3-0 defeat by Arsenal
The Gunners outplayed Real and now have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals
Carlo Ancelotti came in for heavy criticism from the Spanish media alongside many of his stars
Calls for Another “Miracle” at the Bernabeu
Other publications emphasized the daunting task awaiting Ancelotti’s team. AS’s headline, ‘Obligado A Otro Milagro’ (Bound to Another Miracle), underscored the need for a significant turnaround in the second leg.
Marca, while acknowledging the severity of the situation, adopted a slightly more optimistic tone, declaring ‘Humillados Pero… Para El Madrid No Hay Imposibles’ (Humiliated but… for Madrid nothing is impossible).
“Debacle in London” – Marca’s Online Fury
Marca‘s online coverage was particularly critical, describing the match as a ‘Debacle in London.’ The report asserted that ‘Madrid abdicated in the same place where they were crowned champions just under a year ago,’ highlighting the stark contrast in fortunes.
The publication lamented, ‘It had been a long time since Real Madrid had suffered such a severe blow in Europe. It came after a calamitous performance in which Vinicius led the resignation of an attacking trident that had passed without much fanfare at the Emirates.’
Front Three and Ancelotti Face Scrutiny
Marca directed its ire at Real Madrid’s esteemed front three, as well as manager Carlo Ancelotti.
‘Vinicius, Mbappe, and Rodrygo showed no signs of life,’ they stated. ‘Without threatening, Madrid was a toy in the hands of an Arsenal side that battered them from start to finish.’
The report further detailed Real Madrid’s struggles: ‘A recital of saves from Courtois, two goals saved on the goal line, countless last-minute clearances… Madrid endured a nightmare on the pitch, and Ancelotti in the technical area. The captain didn’t jump ship, but he let it sink.’
Mundo Deportivo’s front page highlighted how Ancelotti’s side were ‘humiliated’ by Arsenal
Sport showed Real’s dejection and simply said ‘Tocadisimos’, which translates as ‘we played’
AS and Marca admitted humiliation but attempted to strike an upbeat tone for the second leg
“Mortally Wounded” and “Shipwreck” – Further Criticism
Marca concluded that Real Madrid were ‘mortally wounded,’ describing their performance as ‘terrible, flat Real Madrid, without ideas, without a plan, without a game, which was saved by Courtois from an even greater defeat.’
AS’ website echoed this sentiment, comparing the evening to a ‘shipwreck’ for Los Blancos and labelling them a ‘largely outdated sieve’.
Popular TV program El Chiringuito went as far as to call Tuesday’s match a ‘historic debacle’ and ‘a tragedy in London.’
Vinicius and Mbappe Under Fire
Vinicius Jnr and Kylian Mbappe faced individual scrutiny from the Spanish media. AS lamented the absence of brilliance from Real Madrid’s stars, stating, ‘Real Madrid thrives on the talent of its stars. But at the Emirates Stadium, there was no flash’.
One Marca columnist heavily criticized Vinicius: ‘He (Vinicius Jnr) was completely out of it. Passes that led nowhere, pointless runs, a zero defensive attitude… I don’t know where he was all evening, but not at the Emirates Stadium.’
Mbappe received similar condemnation, branded ‘failing and ineffective’ and ‘as grey as the jersey he wore’.
Dismal Player Ratings Reflect Poor Performance
Marca’s player ratings underscored the dismal showing, with five players – David Alaba, Camavinga, Mbappe, Vinicius Jnr, and Rodrygo – each receiving a score of 4/10.
- Alaba’s ‘terrible night’ was highlighted.
- Camavinga’s ‘umpteenth blunder’ leading to his sending off was noted.
- Rodrygo was described as ‘unrecognisable’ and ‘a shadow’ of his usual self.
Vinicius Jnr came in for heavy criticism and was accused of being non-existent at the Emirates
Marca described Kylian Mbappe as ‘as grey as the jersey he wore’ after an ineffective display
Hope Remains? Madrid Aim for Another Bernabeu Comeback
Despite the overwhelming negativity, recent seasons have demonstrated Real Madrid’s resilience in the Champions League, marked by memorable comebacks against formidable opponents like Man City, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich.
AS offered a glimmer of optimism, concluding: ‘Real Madrid are once again on the brink of the impossible.’
‘The situation demands another poltergeist at the Bernabeu, that black hole that has so often swallowed up the greatest.’
Marca ended with a defiant message: ‘If anyone can do it, it’s us.’