Comebacks are a major theme this week in the UEFA Champions League, especially for Real Madrid. The reigning champions are looking to overturn a first-leg deficit to stay in the competition.
After a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the first leg of the quarterfinals, Real Madrid faces a significant challenge. Despite their reputation as “comeback kings,” earned over the past two years, Wednesday`s second leg at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will truly test their ability to rally. This game could become another legendary comeback for the club.
The term “remontada,” Spanish for “comeback,” is strongly associated with Real Madrid following their loss. It evokes memories of incredible Champions League turnarounds. With their formidable attack, featuring stars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, another “remontada” seems possible.
Here’s what you need to understand about “remontada” and its importance as Real Madrid prepares to play Arsenal on Wednesday.
How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Arsenal
- Date: Wednesday, April 16
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid, Spain
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Real Madrid -140; Draw +300; Arsenal +340
What does `remontada` mean?
“Remontada” is the Spanish word for “comeback” or “turnaround.” It`s often used in soccer to describe dramatic comebacks by Spanish teams.
What was `La Remontada?`
The most famous “remontada,” known as “La Remontada,” is Barcelona`s historic 6-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in March 2017. After PSG won the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie 4-0, a second leg at Barcelona`s Camp Nou was expected to be straightforward. However, Barcelona, under Luis Enrique, produced an incredible performance, winning 6-1 and overcoming a 6-5 aggregate deficit to reach the quarterfinals. Neymar was the star of the match, scoring twice in one of the most memorable Champions League comebacks.
What Real Madrid are saying
Real Madrid is aware of the increased use of “remontada” and has embraced the challenge for Wednesday`s crucial match.
Jude Bellingham mentioned in a pre-match press conference, “Remontada… honestly, I’ve heard it a million times this week. I’ve seen a lot of videos on social media, and I’ve also heard it from you, the press.”
Bellingham also spoke about Real Madrid`s history of comebacks in recent seasons, including their Champions League title wins.
“It’s a night tailor-made for Madrid. It’s been an unbelievable environment in the last few days. [The first leg] was one of the worst results we could imagine and now everyone is waiting for the comeback. Thinking [about a `remontada`] after the [first] game is complicated because you have that difficult moment, analysing what you haven’t done well. But as you talk about it and you see the confidence, you get into all that. We have had previous experiences. These feelings are contagious. It was almost immediate, on the bus, even though we weren’t like we are now.”
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley