Real’s fantastic four face Atletico test; beautiful CL offers Arsenal chance to salvage season

Real Madrid’s galaxy of attacking stars initially struggled to gel this season, but coach Carlo Ancelotti kept faith and now the “fantastic four” are Los Blancos’ greatest strength as they face rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

They host Diego Simeone’s Atletico side on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu in the last 16 first leg, with the return at the Metropolitano stadium across town on March 12.

French superstar Kylian Mbappe joined last season’s trident of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes and both the former Paris Saint-Germain striker and Madrid’s squad needed time to adapt to the change.

Madrid must cope without England international Jude Bellingham in the first leg after his booking in the play-off round game against Manchester City brought the total to three yellow cards.

Madrid must cope without England international Jude Bellingham in the first leg after his booking in the play-off round against Manchester City triggered a suspension for three yellow cards.

Ancelotti has solved tactical problems throughout his storied career. Last season he replaced forward Karim Benzema with Bellingham, a central midfielder, to great effect.

Real Madrid claimed a Champions League and La Liga double, but it has taken time to click with Mbappe.

Madrid’s struggles forced them into the new play-off round, where they faced English champions Man City. Finally firing on all cylinders, the holders hit six goals over the two legs.

Mbappe and Bellingham scored at City and Vinicius was named man of the match. Mbappe then netted a brilliant hat-trick at home to seal a 6-3 aggregate victory.

Madrid’s fantastic four have taken flight at just the right time.

“This is where the season really starts,” said Ancelotti, finally convinced he has found the right set-up, despite the early teething problems.

He was delighted with the attackers’ work-rate after previously criticising a lack of balance when they didn’t work hard enough defensively.

Ancelotti said that was the key to potential success this season and it seems essential against an intense and hard-working Atletico.

“It was a complete performance by the team from an attacking point of view, and we showed that with the right levels of commitment, we can do anything,” explained Ancelotti after beating City in Manchester. That same sacrifice was lacking as Madrid lost 2-1 on Saturday against Real Betis in La Liga, with one eye on the Atletico clash.

“If we play like this we will not win on Tuesday,” warned Ancelotti after the Betis defeat.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hoping the glamour of the Champions League can galvanise his injury-ravaged squad from their Premier League funk.

The Gunners’ dream of a first league title in 21 years appears over after falling 13 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool.

Conquering Europe for the first time now appears their only chance of ending a five-year trophy drought and a kind last-16 draw with PSV Eindhoven could buy Arteta time to get some of his key attackers back.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have been ruled out for the rest of the season with serious hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

But Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli could return for the quarter-finals next month should Arsenal progress.

The absence of all four forwards has been keenly felt as Arsenal failed to score in their last two Premier League games against West Ham and Nottingham Forest to realistically end their title aspirations.

Midfielder Mikel Merino has deputised as a makeshift striker, while Arteta has been forced to rely on teenager Ethan Nwaneri in Saka’s normal wide right role.

“I know that what’s lacking is that piece up there,” said Arteta. “There’s a lot to play for and we need to find the solution to unlock it.

Agencies