The last conflict of Real and Arsenal was marked by a masterpiece
European football giants Arsenal and Madrid Real will compete in an official match for the first time in almost two decades. In the quarterfinals of the Champions League, a spectacle is promised, which also awakens the memories of their only duel so far, marked by an unforgettable hit Thierry Henry.
The Champions League football league schedule brings a treat in London, where Arsenal will host the Madrid Real at the Emirates Stadium in the first quarter of the most elite European club competition. It is a duel of two clubs with extremely rich history and numerous European appearances, but it is surprising that this will only be their third showdown in official competitions and the first after more than nineteen years. The clubs only met in history once (or twice, in the first and return matches), in the eighth Champions League final in the 2005/06 season.
Memory of 2006 and Henry’s magic on Bernabéu
The only showdown between Arsenal and Real so far has impressed football enthusiasts, mainly because of the exceptional performance and mastery of then star Arsenal Thierry Henry. The teams competed in the eighth finals.
On the way to the Champions League final in the 2005/06 season, another giant, Turin Juventus, and then Spanish Villarreal, was eliminated after Real. Photo: Daniele La Monaca/Reuters
The first game was played on 21. Despite the star -studded band, the match was decided by the moment of the ingenuity of the French striker. Henry accepted the ball in the middle of the playground in the 47 minutes, shook off more Real defenders, penetrated the penalty area and beat with a precise shot Iker Casillas For Arsenal leadership with 1: 0.
This hit, they pointed out at CBS Sportshe was not only remarkable because of the complexity, but was also the only one in the entire duel of the eighth finals. In the return game at the old Arsenal Highbury stadium in London, the nets were scattered (0-0). Arsenal surprisingly eliminated the favored Madridans with a total of 1: 0 and made it to the quarterfinals and later to the Champions League final that season. Henry’s hit on Bernabé remains one of the iconic moments in Arsenal’s history.
The victory against Real was just the beginning of the exceptional European hike for Arsenal in the 2005/06 season. London team he led at the time Arsène Wengerthat season shone mainly with granite defense. According to the Archives of the European Football Federation (UEFA), ‘artillerymen’ set the Champions League record at the time, as they did not receive ten consecutive matches, from the group work to the return semi -final.
On the way to the finals, another giant, Turin Juventus, and then Spanish Villarreal, were eliminated after Real. The highlight of the season was the finale in Paris against Barcelona. In spite of the early exclusion of the goalkeeper Jensa Lehmannthe first in the history of the Champions League Finals, Arsenal even led with a goal Sola Campbella. But the dream of a European title has been in the last fifteen minutes with goals Samuel Eto’oja and Juliana Belletti dissolved the Catalan for the final victory of Barcelona by 2: 1.
The dream of the European title has shook the Catalan for the final victory of Barcelona with 2: 1 in the last fifteen minutes with the goals of Samuel Eto’o and Julian Belletti. Photo: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters
Despite the defeat in the finals, this season remains one of the most successful seasons of artillery in their history. Real was synonymous with success in the Champions League in the next decade, no different in this decade. Can Arsenal surprise, just like nine years ago?
