Alexander-Arnold: Real Madrid 'thrive off expectation'

Trent Alexander-Arnold says the expectation for Real Madrid to go deep in the Champions League helps the squad thrive under pressure.

Madrid,15-time European champions, surged into the quarter-finals by seeing off 10-man Manchester City on Tuesday to seal a 5-1 aggregate win.

Vinicius Junior scored twice, first from the penalty spot and then with a close-range finish late on, to cap a fantastic performance from Alvaro Arbeloa's team over the two legs.

The odds were stacked against Man City before kick-off, and their task was made even harder when Bernardo Silva was sent off for handball in the incident that led to Madrid's penalty, though Erling Haaland did pull one back for Pep Guardiola's side.

Madrid are four points off the pace in LaLiga, but Alexander-Arnold is enjoying the weight of expectation that comes with playing for Los Blancos, especially in Europe.

He told Amazon Prime: "It's the most important time of the season. These are the important games, every one is kind of a cup final.

"There's an expectation at Real Madrid to go far in the Champions League and win it. It's embedded in the identity of the club. We thrive off the expectation and it brings the best out of us.

"It's not only big players, young players are stepping up as well, like Thiago Pitarch, who put in incredible performances last week and tonight.

"But at a club like this, big players step up on the big stage. Last week Federico [Valverde] put in one of the best performances anyone will ever see, tonight Vini shows he's world class again.

"Everybody put in a shift, everybody defended well. Over the two legs, we deserved to go through.

"It was nice to get one over Manchester City, they've snatched a few medals from me at Liverpool. You know going up against Manchester City is always going to be tough, so we're proud of the performance."

Alexander-Arnold endured a stuttering start to life at Madrid, mainly due to fitness concerns, but he now feels as if he has settled in after taking his overall tally of appearances for Los Blancos to 25.

"I knew what I was getting into, it's a completely different culture, language and style of football," he said.

"Everyone's made me feel really at home from minute one, and encouraged me to be myself. The coach has filled me with a lot of confidence so hopefully I can stay fit and push on. He's enabled me to play the way I can."

Vinicius, who led Madrid's line with Kylian Mbappe only fit enough for a substitute appearance, now has eight goal involvements against Man City in the Champions League (four goals, four assists), his most against a side in the competition.

In fact, only Lionel Messi (nine) has more goal involvements against Man City in the competition than the Brazilian, who seemed to aggravate the home fans with his celebrations.

Vinicius, who missed a penalty in the first leg, celebrated right in front of the City faithful when he scored a would-be second goal, which was subsequently ruled out for offside, though he did double his tally a moment later to cap Madrid's victory.

"The last time we came here, the Manchester City fans were making fun of me," Vinicius said, referring to City supporters putting up a banner mocking the Madrid forward for losing out to Rodri at the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards.

"I wasn't disrespecting City fans but it was a way for me to prove myself to them."