Roberto Carlos sees both Real Madrid and Barcelona as capable of comebacks in the Champions League, as this week’s semi-final first legs were ‘not normal’.
Barca fell to a 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, whilst Madrid followed that with a 4-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund, to leave both Spanish sides as in need of strong comebacks in the return legs next week.
However, former Madrid man Carlos is optimistic, if only out of bemusement for what he saw this week.
“I see it as possible because what happened in the first leg was not normal,” commented the Brazilian on Cadena COPE.
“The Germans are good but Madrid are not that bad. This happens every 15 years, for a long time we have not seen anything like this.
“Bayern could have won but also not in that manner, and Madrid had their game under control at first and then they conceded four.
“The Germans deserved their victories, but it is not normal that the two favourites in both semi-finals lose by four goals.
“The Champions League is very even, I cannot say what will happen now, but they will go out with an obligation to win.
“The two teams have demonstrated that they are strong and I hope that they both do. Although, Madrid is my team.”
Carlos was asked to assess where he felt Madrid went wrong on Wednesday night.
“Looking at the style, ideology and personality of Mourinho, I do not think they were aggressive or daring.
“There is the mentality, he has his players very focused defensively. You have to go into the game and assess who has the greater history.
“It is also important to consider that in the second leg, Madrid will have 80,000 fans singing for them, as Borussia had in the first leg.
“Lewandowski had his day, but we must mention that the Madrid defence left space for him to think and so make things easier.”
The former attacking full-back reflected on the differences he sees with the Clasico duo compared to when he was playing.
“Now it is more difficult to play. In Barca they are dependent on Messi, in Madrid they are on Cristiano…in my day we had Beckham, Figo, Raul…”
