2026-03-12 11:59:22

Trent Alexander-Arnold feels that Real Madrid proved the doubters wrong with their Champions League win over Manchester City.

Los Blancos took charge of the last 16 tie with a 3-0 victory in Wednesday’s (11.03.26) first leg and Alexander-Arnold says the team defied those who said they would be “battered” before the tie.

The full-back told TNT Sports: “Massive performance. A lot of the noise when the draw happened and then leading up to this game, especially the way we’ve been playing the last few games and the results we’ve had, a lot of people expected us to get battered tonight.

“It just shows the mentality, it doesn’t matter what injuries you’ve got, this competition means a lot to the club and us as players understand that.

“You go out there and they support us like that, anyone can win. We executed the game plan perfectly, first-half especially.

“People will say that they’re favourites going off results and the way both teams are playing. When you get to knockout football in the Champions League anyone can beat anyone. We scored our goals very, very ruthlessly.”

Federico Valverde hit a first-half hat-trick for Real and Alexander-Arnold considers the midfielder to be “the most under-rated footballer on the planet”.

The England international said: “I’m running out of words for him as a player. Even as a Liverpool player I admired him. He is undoubtedly the most under-rated footballer on the planet.

“When you play with him you understand how much he gives to the team. He covers every blade of grass, he gives his all. As a player, the best attribute you can have is that your team-mates can always count on you and he never lets you down.

“It’s absolutely incredible. Maybe people might start talking about it now but for many years he’s been in that top bracket of midfielders.”

Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool to join Real last summer and says he is settled with the La Liga giants after an injury-disrupted start to his career at the club.

He said: “Couple of injuries, it’s never what you want when you first join a club.

“Since I’ve found my fitness, found my feet in the team, I’m loving it here. I’ve loved it ever since I made the decision and joined the club.

“It’s a dream come true to be playing in a stadium like this, for a club like this and in games like today.

“I’m trying to embrace the culture and adapt as well as I can. The lads, the fans and the city have all accepted me with open arms.”

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