Real Madrid vs Manchester City live updates: Champions League latest as Erling Haaland rerurns

It is no surprise that Vinicius Junior has often thrived under the bright European midweek lights in the second half of the season. So what makes him so dangerous?

He has been thrust into high-pressure European nights early in his career, with more minutes in the Champions League knockout stages (3,187 – more than any player since his debut) than in the group/league phase (2,867).

Recurrent exposure to the spotlight has allowed Vinicius Jr to understand what he is up against and develop a track record of thriving in high-pressure moments.

Since 2018-19, no player has recorded more goal contributions in the knockout stages (26).

Playing at pace against scattered defences is where Vinicius Jr’s abilities come furthest to the fore and is a major reason for his numbers in the knockout phases.

Madrid would welcome a follow-up to some of those stellar performances tonight.

With Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo all missing due to injury, they need the Brazilian at his decisive best.