Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he is supporting Arsenal to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy this season, following their emphatic elimination of his side in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal secured a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory over the Spanish giants, following up their 3-0 first-leg win with a 2-1 triumph at the Santiago Bernabéu. Despite a missed penalty from Bukayo Saka in the second leg, the English forward later opened the scoring, before Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win after Vinicius Junior had equalized for Madrid on the night.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shared details of a warm exchange with Ancelotti at full-time.
“Carlo Ancelotti has been very affectionate. He told me that he hopes we win the Champions League and that he is very happy for us,” Arteta said.
Arsenal’s victory sends them into the semi-finals, where they will face French champions Paris Saint-Germain. Interestingly, the last four teams to eliminate Real Madrid from the competition have gone on to win it—a trend the Gunners will be hoping to continue.
With their current momentum and a historic statement win over the 14-time champions, Arsenal are now considered strong contenders for their first-ever Champions League title.
