JAKARTA - Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa said his team's chances of advancing in the Champions League are still alive after Kylian Mbappe's second-half goal saw Los Blancos lose 1-2 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the quarterfinal on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, early morning WIB.
After a strong start from the visitors, Luis Diaz put Bayern Munich ahead in the 41st minute at the Santiago Bernabeu, before Harry Kane doubled the lead just 20 seconds after entering the second half.
Mbappe halved the deficit with his 14th goal in this season's Champions League - which makes him the top scorer in the tournament - to keep the match open ahead of the second leg next Wednesday in Munich.
"We still have a chance, that's clear. We are only one goal behind. We can win anywhere. Being 0-2 down will be very difficult to overcome."
"I told (Vinicius Junior) that one goal would keep us alive. We still have a chance because Real Madrid can win anywhere," Arbeloa told Movistar.
Mbappe faced some criticism ahead of the match, after his return from injury coincided with a dip in the team's form, including a defeat against Mallorca in LaLiga at the weekend.
"For me, Mbappe looks very committed. He makes them difficult. He shows why he is the best player in the world."
"He always poses a threat to the defense and that's the Mbappe we want to see," Arbeloa said in a post-match press conference, as reported by ESPN.
Real Madrid's defeat to Mallorca left them seven points behind leaders Barcelona in the LaLiga title race so the Champions League is their best chance of silverware this season.
"This is a defeat (from Bayern Munich) that we could actually avoid, with a little luck in the second half."
"We made two mistakes, lost the ball twice, which we should have avoided. Against these teams, if you make such mistakes, you will suffer the consequences."
"The goal gave us hope. It won't be easy, but if there's a team that can win in Munich, it's Real Madrid," Arbeloa said.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will play without midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in the second leg due to suspension, after he received a yellow card in the first leg.
"We will have time to think (about Tchouameni's replacement), we have options. This is an important defeat," said Arbeloa.
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