UEFA has granted Real Madrid permission to close the retractable roof at the Santiago Bernabéu for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal on Wednesday, April 16. The Spanish giants made the special request in an effort to maximise home advantage, knowing they must overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

 Declan Rice’s two superb free-kicks and a late goal from Mikel Merino left Los Blancos facing a near-impossible task. Real Madrid's £1.5 billion stadium renovation included the installation of a state-of-the-art retractable roof, designed to amplify noise and create a more intimidating environment. Real believe the enclosed atmosphere could provide the extra push needed against a defensively solid Arsenal, who haven’t conceded three goals in a game since last season. Manager Carlo Ancelotti commented on the difference the roof makes: "Acoustically, it's different, there's more noise, a much better atmosphere, I think. That can encourage the team to be even more motivated."