UCL: Real Madrid boosted as UEFA allows closure of Bernabeu roof ahead of Arsenal showdown

…Spanish giants hope to use fans’ noise to intimidate Gunners

Real Madrid have been granted permission to close the Bernabeu roof as they seek to inspire a Champions League miracle against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
Madrid go into the second leg of the quarter-final tie 3-0 down after Declan Rice’s twin free-kick strikes led the Gunners to one of their most famous European victories on home soil last week.
A retractable roof was added to the iconic Madrid stadium during its recent £1.5billion revamp and the Spanish giants have sought permission from Uefa to have it closed for Wednesday evening’s contest in a bid to boost the atmosphere.
A number of similar requests have been approved in recent times, including for last season’s quarter-final tie against Manchester City.
The two sides drew 3-3 that night, with Madrid eventually advancing to the semi-finals after a penalty shootout in the Etihad Stadium return, before going on to claim a 15th Champions League success.
Uefa have now confirmed that Madrid will again be allowed to close their roof as Carlo Ancelotti’s side seek to add to their repertoire of European comebacks.
Los Blancos, the most successful side in Champions League history, memorably scored twice in stoppage time to sink City in the semi-final of the 2022 edition, though they have never previously recovered from 3-0 down at the midway stage of a tie.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are yet to concede a goal against Madrid in three Champions League meetings, having won 1-0 on aggregate when the sides met in the last 16 in 2006. That triumph included a famous win in the Bernabeu forged by Thierry Henry’s solo goal.