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UEFA grant Real Madrid special request hours before Arsenal clash and it will worry Mikel Arteta

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UEFA grant Real Madrid special request hours before Arsenal clash and it will worry Mikel Arteta

Real Madrid typically make the request before a big Champions League but have to get permission from UEFA.

UEFA have granted Real Madrid's special request ahead of the Champions League quarter final second leg against Arsenal.

Los Blancos are trailing 3-0 from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, where Declan Rice scored two sensational free-kicks and Mikel Merino finishing off the scoring with a fine finish.

15-time European champions Real need a miraculous comeback in order to reach the semi-finals and the consensus is that Carlo Ancelotti's men desperately need an early goal in order to pull off the unthinkable.

Arsenal have not conceded three goals in a game since a 4-3 win over Luton Town last season but Real are known to rise to the occasion on a huge European nights.

And it's emerged that Real have been handed a huge boost after given permission by UEFA to do what they like to do for big games.

UEFA and Real Madrid have confirmed to SPORTbible that the Spanish club have been given approval to close the roof at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real's renovated stadium set them back a whopping £1.5 billion and included the addition of a retractable roof.

The handy feature means Real have the ability to close it and help bring about a cauldron-like atmosphere by trapping noise in - which could make the occasion a little more difficult for Mikel Arteta and his team.

For La Liga games, Real have the power to decide whether the roof is closed but in the Champions League they must get UEFA's permission.

The decision must be made ahead of time and cannot be done in the middle of the game, at half-time.

Real Madrid have been allowed to close the roof of the Santiago Bernabeu. Image: Getty
Real Madrid have been allowed to close the roof of the Santiago Bernabeu. Image: Getty

Ancelotti has already spoken about the impact the closed roof can have, commenting: "Acoustically it's different, there's more noise, a much better atmosphere, I think. That can encourage the team to be even more motivated."

Real are without Eduardo Camavinga after he got sent off in the first leg in North London, but both Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr are both set to return for the starting XI.

Bellingham was said to have been involved in an ugly training ground bust-up with teammate Antonio Rudiger on Friday.

The England international has not commented on the incident but ahead of the second leg, he sent a message to the club's fans and wrote:"Believe! See you Wednesday Madridistas."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: UEFA, Real Madrid, Champions League, Arsenal