Jude Bellingham has admitted that Real Madrid were 'nowhere near it' as they lost 3-0 to Arsenal in Tuesday night's Champions League clash.
Los Blancos had been widely expected to blow their opponents away as they look to defend their title and win it for a record-extending 16th time.
But Real were second best at the Emirates Stadium, with Declan Rice bagging a brace and Mikel Merino also on target as Arsenal secured victory.
Bellingham was subdued on the night, with the England international failing to stamp his authority on the match.
Jude Bellingham has admitted that Real Madrid were 'nowhere near it' as they lost 3-0 to Arsenal in Tuesday night's Champions League clash
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And the 21-year-old, speaking after the game, criticised Real's showing - admitting they were 'nowhere near' their rivals on the night.
"We were nowhere near it," he told Amazon Prime. "That’s the fact and Arsenal were really good.
"I know two of their goals were free-kicks but they could have had way more.
"There is a second leg and that’s what we’re holding on to. We need something really special, something crazy really but one place where crazy things happen is our house.
"We’ve got 90 more minutes at home to pull something out of the bag.
"We’re still alive, we’ve got 90 mins of football and anything can happen at the Bernabeu."
While it was a night to forget for Bellingham, it was a sublime evening for Rice.
The Arsenal star netted two sensational free-kicks and produced a midfield masterclass to boost his team's chances of European glory.
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Jude Bellingham failed to make an impact as Arsenal beat Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night
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Bellingham, when asked about Rice's brace, added: "They’re two great pieces of individual quality and if it wasn’t for them, they still have other chances.
"We got punished and that happens at top-level football. In these games, you need to create more.
"Very rarely do you come to a place like this score one goal and take your lead back home.
"We didn’t do enough on the ball to threaten."
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Meanwhile, Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois has also provided his verdict on the proceedings.
The Belgium international has defended himself after beating beaten by Rice twice, insisting he couldn't do much about it.
"I thought I'd positioned the wall well," stated the former Chelsea goalkeeper.
"I usually put an extra man in. I take responsibility for that, I could have put an extra man in, but I thought [Rice] wouldn't get as much curl on it.
Jude Bellingham hailed Declan Rice after the Arsenal star netted two sublime free-kicks against Real Madrid
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“And the second goal is a great goal.
"They were unnecessary fouls, when there was no danger. Perhaps we shouldn't make those fouls."
