Ex-Real Madrid star reveals what Arsenal must overcome that broke Chelsea

Former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka helped Real Madrid back to Champions League glory and believes the competition is in the club’s DNA as they prepare to face Arsenal

Aitor Karanka believes Real Madrid’s “Champions League DNA” is the reason they are big favourites to knock-out Arsenal. Karanka won three European Cups with the Spanish giants and therefore has a remarkable insight into the winning mentality inside the Real Madrid dressing room.

Former Middlesbrough boss Karanka, who had five glittering years at the Bernabeu, says no matter what is happening on the pitch there is always an unshakeable belief from deep within when it comes to the Champions League. Karanka, who now works as a UEFA observer and La Liga TV pundit, said: “I think Arsenal have a chance but if you ask me who is favourite then I would say Real Madrid.

“It is in the Real Madrid DNA. But also it is now in the minds of opponents and now it will be in the minds of Arsenal.

“But it has been Chelsea, PSG and was Atletico Madrid this year because I think Atletico were better, they had the chance to finish it but if you allow Real Madrid to survive then you have problems!

“It’s not arrogant to say that when you are Real Madrid that you can do it – and you will do it. If you are at your best as Real Madrid then you are going to win. But even when you play badly – you win.

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“Just look at the final last year. Borussia Dortmund were the better team in the first half and I can promise you that at half time the Real Madrid players would still believe they were going to win because that is their mentality.”

Karanka helped Real Madrid – the record 15 time European Cup winners – end a 32 year wait when they lifted the trophy in 1998. Two more followed in the next four years. That helped form the Real Madrid of today and why they are such a formidable European force. He believes Arsenal will have to put on a perfect performance and hope Real Madrid have an off day.

Karanka said: “It’s amazing and sometimes I can’t believe I did it! But those three Champions Leagues arrived after 32 years and then we won three in five years and it changed everything for Real Madrid.

“I will always remember the year when I played a lot of games and I also remember the Redondo back heel at Old Trafford, beating Manchester United when everyone expected them to win and we were 3-0 up after about 60 minutes.

“I remember one year in the dressing room, we were having a difficult time in the league, we got a tough draw and everyone was screaming because we knew we could win, no matter it was Manchester United, Bayern Munich or whoever.

“Arsenal have some injuries, they have conceded some goals but are good at set pieces. But to beat Real Madrid, you have to be perfect and not make mistakes.

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“If you concede then it’s always dangerous and Arsenal will have to be perfect for 180 minutes and to hope Madrid are not in their best day.”

Karanka will be in Madrid for the second leg and is enjoying his roles with UEFA and La Liga TV but there is still a hankering to return to management if the right job crops up in the future. This is the manager with a proven record of promotion to the Premier League. “I would like to get back in but it has to be right,” he says.

“I could never get the same that I had at Middlesbrough with Steve Gibson, the support and the backing but I would like similar and to have that level of ambition.”

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