As James Horncastle said in the Eurolex podcast, there are heavy weight in the European game that they still support Madrid in advance – including the winner of the Champions League with AC Milan with Aceano Costakurt and Zvonimer Boban and former Madrid coach Fabio.
“Small things are happening in football, amazing things are happening at the Bernabeu,” Horncasel said. “I know Real Madrid’s injuries, shortcomings, are not balanced.
“I wasn’t surprised to see in Italian newspapers and on Italian television. When they asked me to expect to reach the semi-finals, three experts – Costakurt, Boban and Capello still refused to leave against Madrid.
“There are still a lot about Madrid’s reputation that it’s not something you can take as normal that Arsenal moves at the Bernabeu.
But the symptoms are good for Mikel Artata.
Arsenal’s 12th victory was the 12th time that an English club won three or more in the first leg of the Champions League final with three or more, and each time the English club passed for the next round.
The Gunners also have a good record when they were top of the Champions League in the top of the game – they have advanced in six games that won in early games.
They will also remain unbeaten in Europe’s Champions League race, drawing two and drawing one goal in three games.