Real Madrid needs historical comeback after shocking loss to Wolfsburg
If Real Madrid hopes to make a sixth consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of the Champions League, the Spanish club will need to replicate performances that have only been accomplished twice in the history of Europe's showpiece competition.
Los Blancos, heavy favourites to brush mid-table German club Wolfsburg aside heading into the first leg of their quarter-final tie, suffered an unexpected setback on Wednesday, falling 2-0 at the Volkswagen Arena.
Related: 3 things we learned from Wolfsburg's stunning win over Real Madrid
Goals from Ricardo Rodriguez and Maximilian Arnold gave the Wolves an impressive victory and leaves Zinedine Zidane and Co. on the verge of a Champions League exit that would be heavily scrutinized in the Spanish capital after the club earned what looked, on paper, to be a straightforward draw.
In tournament history, only two clubs have overturned a 2-0 deficit after playing the first leg away from home.
In CL history, 2 teams have qualified after losing 2-0 away in the 1st leg – Barcelona (v AC Milan) in 2013 & Man Utd (v Olympiakos) in 2014
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) 6 april 2016
Madrid, meanwhile, has been eliminated eight consecutive times after losing the first leg of a knockout tie.
Related: Benzema comes off vs. Wolfsburg with apparent leg concern
Though Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are more than capable of scoring the necessary goals to break German hearts at the Santiago Bernabeu next week, Madrid's unspectacular defense simply cannot afford to be breached again: one goal for Wolfsburg would leave the Spanish club needing four to reach the semi-finals.