With their backs against the wall after a 2-1 defeat in the first leg at Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid, trailing in La Liga and already knocked out of the Copa del Rey, must win at all costs to avoid finishing the season without a trophy.
"For us, every Champions League defeat feels like a disaster. Given where we are, tomorrow's match is a final—it's all or nothing. That's the mentality we need to have; we can't hide," Bellingham said at a press conference.
"You can't win La Liga if you drop that many points. (...) We want to stay in the competition and go on to win this Champions League. We want to play for a title at the end of the season, not just watch the games go by," he continued.
Asked about his partnership with Real Madrid's other two stars, Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior, he admitted there was still a lack of understanding but urged everyone to "believe" in them.
"I think there have been games where we've linked up well. But it's true that sometimes it's tricky because both of them naturally prefer to receive the ball on the left side. So it can be difficult when all three of us end up on the same side," he observed.
"There have been matches where our movement was fluid and we played with freedom. Sometimes that made us a bit disorganized, but it also helped us win some games. We shouldn't just focus on the negatives. We need to trust in their abilities," the English midfielder added.
Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who spoke to the media after Bellingham, insisted that Real Madrid, a club with 15 European Cups, "never gives up" and called on his players to show "character".
"We don't need a miracle. If we had won the first leg, it wouldn't have been anything extraordinary. Their goalkeeper (Manuel Neuer) was the best player on the pitch. That shows what we're capable of. Tomorrow, we have to show who we really are," he stated.