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Gareth Bale has backed former club Real Madrid to bounce back from their recent struggles and successfully defend their UEFA Champions League crown. The La Liga giants have endured a nightmare start to their European campaign, but Bale thinks they'll rediscover their form.
Liverpool are favorites to win the European title amid a phenomenal start to life under Arne Slot. The Reds beat Madrid 2-0 at Anfield on Wednesday (November 27), leaving Carlo Ancelotti's men down in 24th in the league standings.
Yet, Bale is confident Los Blancos will turn things around and eventually win the Champions League for a record-extending 16th time. He predicted the club he won the trophy on five occasions to do so again in an interview with TNT Sports.
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Real Madrid have three remaining games in the league phase of the newly-formated competition. They face Atalanta (December 10), RB Salzburg (January 22) and Brest (January 29). Ancelotti must guide them to at least two wins in their remaining games to ensure a likely playoff spot.
It's been a torrid start to their defence of the trophy, with two wins and three defeats in five games. The loss against Liverpool was damaging as they were second-best throughout the night.
The Merseysiders are top of the league with five wins from as many games. Inter Milan, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal and Monaco occupy the other automatic qualification places.
"We will be in the Champions League final" - Carlo Ancelotti is confident Real Madrid will be in Munich
Ancelotti was adamant Real Madrid would come through their difficult phase and make it to the final. The Italian coach said (via Fabrizio Romano):
"Remember that Real Madrid will be in Champions League final, in Munich. We will be there."
Madrid have dealt with setbacks in Europe's elite club competition before and gone on to lift the trophy. They were the comeback kings of the 2021-22 campaign, staging dramatic turnarounds in wins over PSG (3-2 agg) and Manchester City (6-5 agg).
Los Merengues are behind in the La Liga title race with Barcelona, trailing their El Clasico rivals by four points after 13 games. Ancelotti's troops have a game in hand over the Catalans.
Next up for Madrid is Getafe's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday (December 1). They can move to within a point of Barca with victory.
