Real Advance With Will To Win

Spanish giants rely on mentality rather than quality to overcome city rivals in Europe

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MADRID — Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham praised his side's mental strength as they edged past Atletico Madrid 4-2 on penalties to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on March 12.

Carlo Ancelotti's team were not at their best and lost 1-0 after extra time to leave the tie 2-2 on aggregate. But once again, the holders found a way to progress and stay on course to lift the trophy for a record-extending 16th time.

England midfielder Bellingham netted one of Real's four successful penalties in the shoot-out as they set up a last-eight clash against English Premier League side Arsenal.

"That's sometimes what it takes, those moments of composure and poise. It's not always the mad quality that you see from us," the 21-year-old told TNT.

"There is a change of mentality when we come into these games. We know that there's a certain way of winning games.

"We're very good at that. We understand game situations really well, and tonight was another example."

Real had turned on the style to eliminate Manchester City in the play-offs to reach the knockout phase, beating the Premier League champions 6-3 on aggregate.