La Liga

JUDE BELLINGHAM has claimed that there is a lot of belief that it is “nailed on” that Real Madrid will beat Arsenal.The Spanish giants face an uphill battle to overturn a 3-0 deficit against the Gunners after a crushing defeat at the Emirates last week.Jude Bellingham has shared his thoughts on the second leg against ArsenalCredit: GettyDeclan Rice stunned Real with two brilliant free-kicks in the 3-0 winCredit: GettyBellingham is hopeful of a stunning turnaround in SpainCredit: GettyMikel Arteta’s side are hopeful of reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 16 years.The North London club would have to produce an astonishing collapse as Real have NEVER come back from this position before.However, England international Bellingham, 21, has insisted that there is plenty of belief that the 15-time European champions can do just that.He said: “Everyone thinks it is nailed on that we will come back.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“It is a weird environment, but it is a nice feeling. It means there is a lot of trust in the talent. “There is an expectation from around the world that when we get into these kinds of holes, we can come back, even if it is a really tough one. “It is a night made for Real Madrid, and would go down in history, but also something people are familiar with around this part of the world.”Hopefully, we can add another special night.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“It is something that you want to be a part of, it is something that you want to add to the history of this club. “There is not a lot you can do for Real Madrid in the Champions League that has not already been done.New footage sees raging Jude Bellingham KICK VAR monitor in frustration after Real Madrid’s last-gasp defeatReal Madrid have pulled off historic comebacks in the pastCredit: Alamy“This is an opportunity for us to do something for the first time. That is really important to us.”Arsenal can take comfort in knowing that out of the 11 previous English teams to be in this position, all have advanced to the next round.Real Madrid have shown they are capable of the incredibly improbable in the past.Back in the 2021/22 season, they stunned Manchester City with a 6-5 aggregate victory despite being 4-3 down.They have also produced similar turnarounds against Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.Bellingham has also insisted that a comeback is possible and pointed to Liverpool’s famous win over Barcelona in 2019.He added: “Probably in England it is not as common but it has happened, Liverpool did it a couple of years back [against Barcelona in 2019].“What makes us confident is the quality we have, the history of the club, the fans that will turn up and give everything on the night, the aura of the Bernabeu and these Champions League nights, that is always something. “The more you get to speak to the other lads and you see how confident they are, the more it rubs off on you. They have experienced these kinds of nights before.Read More on The Sun“It is infectious and it makes you a lot more confident, a lot more comfortable with the situation you are in.“If we just increase our level numbers a bit more, we can be in it. We are not stupid but also we are confident in the ability we have.” More

CARLO ANCELOTTI has revealed he rejected the chance to take up a huge managerial role because it seemed “like a part-time job”.The Italian coach, 65, is hoping to mastermind a stunning comeback from 3-0 down for Real Madrid against Arsenal on Wednesday, although preparations have been anything but smooth.Carlo Ancelotti has said he rejected the Italian national team job in 2018He said he thought it might ‘make me lose a bit of my passion’Credit: RexAncelotti has been with the club since 2021, but he has now opened up on how he turned down the Italian national team gig in 2018, before they ultimately appointed Roberto Mancini.Speaking to Swiss broadcaster RSI, he said he rejected the role because he feared it would make him “lose a bit of passion”.He explained: “I said no because I didn’t feel like it.“I really like being on the pitch daily to prepare training sessions, and the national team seemed like a part-time job that would make me lose a bit of my passion.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”That’s the only reason.”Ancelotti’s contract with the Spanish giants runs until 2026.However, the club face a mountain climb to defend their Champions League crown and are trailing Barcelona in La Liga by four points.They also play their arch-rivals in the Copa del Rey final later this month, and if they fail to overcome Barcelona in at least one of the domestic competitions, they could be left trophyless this season.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIf that happens, ruthless club bosses may not waste any time in relieving him of his duties as manager despite his stellar record during his second spell in Madrid.Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed Real Madrid will make a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso if Ancelotti leaves.How Declan Rice can be ‘world class’ AGAIN vs Real Madrid | Tactics Exposed Deano’s DecisionAncelotti said he would discuss his future with the club at the end of the season, telling reporters: “I shouldn’t talk about things about my future, because the contract is quite clear.”Whatever it is, it will be discussed at the end of the season. The club always supports me, especially in difficult moments.”Since returning to manage Los Blancos, Ancelotti has won 11 titles, including two Champions Leagues, two league titles, the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup.The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager joined the club from Everton, and revealed he initiated contact over a return.Carlo Ancelotti has now won 28 trophiesHe added: “Actually, I was the one who called them.”The year before, I had reached out to see if they had any players available, and we ended up signing James Rodriguez.”I knew they were looking for a coach the following year.”I spoke to the director and said they needed to get a good one.”I shouldn’t talk about things about my future, because the contract is quite clear.Carlo AncelottiAncelotti also admitted that before joining the Toffees his dream was to manage Liverpool, but after experiencing the Merseysiders’ rivalry first hand he was now “absolutely” an Everton fan.He said: “My dream was to coach Liverpool, but then I found myself at Everton and I experienced their rivalry, and now I’m absolutely an Everton fan.Read More on The Sun”I really liked the environment, because there is a spectacular passion for colours.”You also notice the suffering that the fan has for Liverpool, which for many years and still today excels in the Premier League.” More

REAL MADRID will need all hands on deck to complete an unbelievable Champions League turnaround against Arsenal on Wednesday.However, the Spanish giants have been hit by internal chaos ahead of the crunch quarter-final tie.Real Madrid have been hit by chaos ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against ArsenalCredit: ReutersKylian Mbappe was sent off at the weekendCredit: AFPThe first leg at the Emirates saw the 15-time European champions fall 3-0 behind after a second half blitz by the Gunners led by two outrageous free-kicks from Declan Rice.Carlo Ancelotti called for calm ahead of the reverse leg at the Bernabeu, but it seems the message has not trickled down to his distracted multi-million pound stars.Los Blancos returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Alaves, despite Kylian Mbappe being sent off for a horror tackle when he went diving in with his studs raised and caught Antonio Blanco high on his shin. Training before the game was equally chaotic for Ancelotti’s squad.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReports in Spain claim Jude Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger had to be separated in a training ground bust-up on Friday.El Chiringuito claims that former Chelsea star Rudiger clattered Bellingham with a rough challenge during a training game.This prompted the England international to bite back with a scathing insult, which subsequently sparked a clash between the pair as team-mates were forced to intervene to separate them.Despite the confrontation, Bellingham and Rudiger are said to have resolved the matter quickly.Most read in FootballJude Bellingham and Antonion Rudiger had a training ground bust-upCredit: GettyLuka Modric is looking to become a shareholder in SwanseaCredit: Sunday TimesFerland Mendy has also been ruled out of the clash through injuryCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKMeanwhile, news has emerged that veteran midfielder Luka Modric is set to become a minority shareholder in Championship club Swansea.A deal has reportedly been agreed that sees the 39-year-old legend acquire a stake in the Welsh club.Thierry Henry’s blunt six-word statement to Kylian Mbappe before Arsenal’s incredible win over Real MadridThe amount of the Swans he is buying and the cost of the investment is currently unclear with Modric set to join Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Nigel Morris and Jason Cohen as part-owners of Swansea.The move will not impact his ongoing playing career and he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.But buying into a football club is likely to have been a distraction.On top of all of this, Madrid have also been rocked by news that defender Ferland Mendy is definitely out of the tie.The left-back suffered a hamstring injury before the first leg, and it has now been reported by AS there is no chance of him making a sudden comeback.That adds on to the already absent Eduardo Camavinga after he was sent off at the end of the game at the Emirates.There are also fitness doubts surrounding Federico Valverde and David Alaba, while Dani Ceballos is almost certainly out against his former club.The one boost Real can count on is the return of Aurelien Tchouameni from suspension.Speaking about the clash, Ancelotti referenced previous times huge deficits have been turned over in the Champions League, with the term “remontada” being born after Barcelona overturned a 4-0 first-leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.He said: “Remontada? We will try. Read More on The Sun”It happened many times. “We will try until the last minute.”Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners… More