After a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Ancelotti’s team needs a massive comeback at the Santiago Bernabéu to stay alive in the Champions League. Is it difficult? Extremely. Is it impossible? Not for Real Madrid. European football has repeatedly shown that on certain nights, the word “impossible” has no meaning.

Real Madrid, the kings of Europe with 15 titles, have historical and psychological reasons to believe in success.

The team has previously staged comebacks against Derby County in the 1976 European Cup (4-1 away, 5-1 at the Bernabéu), Anderlecht in the 1985 UEFA Cup (3-0 away, 6-1 at home), and Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1986 (5-1 in Germany, 4-0 in Madrid).

But to find comebacks as tough as the one Real Madrid faces tomorrow, one doesn’t need to look far. Here are four major Champions League comebacks that Real fans can look to for inspiration.

Barcelona 6-1 Paris Saint-Germain (Round of 16, 2016/17). Aggregate: 6-5 in favor of Barça

The greatest comeback in Champions League history was achieved by Real Madrid’s eternal rivals, Barcelona. Barça lost 4-0 in the first leg in Paris, but Camp Nou witnessed collective madness. Until the 88th minute, PSG led 5-3 on aggregate. But in the 95th minute, Sergi Roberto scored the 6-1 goal after a move started by Neymar. This historic comeback, the biggest in Champions League history, proved that a four-goal deficit is not impossible to overturn, though the refereeing decisions were controversial.

Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (Semi-finals, 2018/19). Aggregate: 4-3 in favor of Liverpool

Another night that defined the inexplicable. Barcelona arrived at Anfield with a 3-0 lead from the first leg and Messi’s brilliance. But Klopp’s Liverpool, without Salah and Firmino, delivered an epic performance. Origi scored the first and last goals, Wijnaldum equalized with two quick goals, and a quick corner from Alexander-Arnold caught Barça off guard, sealing one of the most humiliating European defeats in their history.

Roma 3-0 Barcelona (Quarter-finals, 2017/18). Aggregate: 4-4, Roma advances on away goals

The season before, Barcelona suffered a similar blow. With a 4-1 lead from the first leg, no one bet on Roma. But the Stadio Olimpico roared from the first minute, and the comeback was completed with goals from Dzeko, De Rossi (penalty), and Manolas in the 82nd minute. Dzeko said after the match: “After the 4-1 defeat in Barcelona, we said we had nothing to lose. We played one of the best games in Roma’s history. Defeating Barça 3-0 is truly a great achievement.”

Deportivo La Coruña 4-0 AC Milan (Quarter-finals, 2003/04). Aggregate: 5-4 in favor of Deportivo

The first major Spanish comeback in the Champions League format was achieved by Deportivo under coach Irureta. Milan had won 4-1 at San Siro, despite Pandiani’s early goal. In the return leg, the Riazor became hell for Milan. Pandiani, Valerón, Luque, and Fran crushed the reigning European champions. Irureta had said before the match: “We’ll do everything, but qualification is very difficult. If we advance, I’ll walk to Santiago, even on my knees.” He kept his word and walked to Santiago.

Bernabéu Awaits Its Own Epic Night

If there’s a stadium with a tradition of great comebacks, it’s the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid has had spectacular comebacks against PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City in recent years, but they have never overturned a three-goal deficit in the Champions League. This time, Real needs a cohesive team performance, intensity from the first minute, and a bit of that competitive gene that has made history before. Because if any team can rewrite the impossible, it’s Real Madrid.