Sabasports Match Preview
UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid vs Arsenal
Kickoff Time: 2025-04-17 03:00 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/Vincent West
In last weekend’s La Liga match, Real Madrid narrowly defeated Deportivo Alaves away 1-0, ending their three-game losing streak. In the Champions League, Real Madrid lost 0-3 to Arsenal in the first leg of the quarterfinals away. After the game, Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical arrangements became a focus of controversy. Under the 4-4-2 system, Real Madrid’s midfield lacks a playmaking core, forcing Jude Bellingham to drop back to receive passes, which greatly reduced the threat on the attacking end. Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo were left isolated on the wings, struggling to make effective breakthroughs. Fortunately, Real Madrid’s performance at home in the Champions League has been quite good this season, with the team recording seven wins and one loss in eight home Champions League games. Without any other choice in the second leg, Real Madrid still has a chance to turn things around, and the key lies in how Ancelotti adjusts his tactics to maximize the synergy of the team’s lineup.
Arsenal, on the other hand, drew 1-1 with Brentford at home in last weekend’s Premier League match. In this game, Arsenal rotated most of their main players, undoubtedly conserving energy for the second leg against Real Madrid. In the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, Arsenal relied on two decisive free-kicks from Declan Rice and a goal from Mikel Merino, ultimately defeating Real Madrid 3-0 at home. Undoubtedly, Arsenal’s set-piece tactics were the key to opening up the game for them. However, it should be noted that while Arsenal’s set-pieces are indeed strong, the first leg was more about Rice’s exceptional performance, and Arsenal’s set-piece threat in the Champions League is not particularly prominent. For Arsenal to rely on set-pieces to open up the game again in the second leg will also be quite difficult.
Looking at the overall strength, Real Madrid is always a bit superior to Arsenal. As the team with the most heritage in Champions League history, Real Madrid’s experience is also something Arsenal can hardly match. Coupled with the strong home momentum of Real Madrid, its powerful home atmosphere will also bring huge pressure to Arsenal. Therefore, it is worth betting on the Champions League-experienced Real Madrid to make a comeback in this game.
Real Madrid’s Last 5 Games: WLLLW
25-04-13 Deportivo Alaves 0-1 Real Madrid
25-04-09 Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid
25-04-05 Real Madrid 1-2 Valencia
25-04-02 Real Madrid 3-4 Real Sociedad (AET: 4-4)
25-03-30 Real Madrid 3-2 Leganes
Arsenal’s Last 5 Games: DWDWW
25-04-11 Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
25-04-09 Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid
25-04-02 Everton 1-1 Arsenal
25-03-17 Arsenal 2-1 Fulham
25-03-14 Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
Head To Head Record:
25-04-09 Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid
08-08-03 Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid
06-03-09 Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid
06-02-22 Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal
Prediction: Real Madrid to win