Image credit: Getty Images
Oleksandr Zinchenko has fired up Arsenal for their Champions League quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid, urging his teammates to deliver the performance of their lives.
The Gunners’ squad gathered in the dressing room to watch Real Madrid narrowly defeat city rivals Atletico Madrid in a dramatic penalty shootout, setting up a blockbuster clash with Mikel Arteta’s side. Zinchenko, who impressed in midfield as Martin Ødegaard’s understudy during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, is relishing the opportunity to face Real’s star-studded lineup.
Despite Arsenal reaching the quarter-finals in consecutive seasons for the first time in 15 years, they enter the tie as underdogs, with the second leg set to take place at the formidable Santiago Bernabéu.
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Reflecting on Real’s victory over Atletico, Zinchenko said, “How can you cheer? It was a mixed feeling because, to be honest, Atletico were unlucky with that Julian Alvarez penalty. No one said anything. It was just mixed emotions because playing against Real or Atletico, both are amazing clubs.
Oleksandr Zinchenko scored a screamer against PSV in the Champions League (Image credit: Getty Images)“It’s going to be an incredible experience for all of us. Facing one of the best teams in the world, with so much experience and world-class players, is always exciting. We are all looking forward to it.”
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Zinchenko also emphasised the need for absolute concentration in the high-stakes clash. “At this stage of the competition, you cannot be relaxed even for a second. The level and demands are so high that if you lose focus, even briefly, they can punish you. This is something we need to learn from past experiences. I believe we have that experience now, so let’s see how it plays out.”
Arteta will need a masterful game plan to counteract Real Madrid’s attacking firepower, led by Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham. Zinchenko acknowledged the challenge, stating, “The only thing I can say is that to play against Real Madrid, you have to deliver the best performance of your life. Those are the demands at this level.”
Arsenal’s last encounter with Real in the Champions League ended in triumph, with Thierry Henry’s winner at the Bernabéu securing a 1-0 aggregate victory in the last 16 of the 2005-06 season, as the Gunners went on to reach the final.
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