REAL MADRID
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti gives Jude Bellingham injury update
The Italian spoke after Madrid’s goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano, a game which saw Bellingham suffer a first-half injury scare.
Real Madrid’s frustrating 0-0 draw with city rivals Rayo Vallecano will not be a game remembered for its huge amount of on-field quality or skill. However, the image that will penetrate into the dreams of the Madridista family is that of Jude Bellingham laid on the floor clutching his shoulder: the English midfielder, a player who has been a revelation for the side, went down injured in the first half of the game at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Bellingham was, fortunately, after the stretcher was initially taken out of its cupboard, to the horror of the 70,000 onlooking fans, able to continue. The player walked off the pitch and returned to the field after just a few minutes, surprising everyone watching and calming the heart rate monitors on smartwatches around the ground.
Bellingham ‘hopefully back’ for Champions League
After the game, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti provided an update on the fitness of the player, who was eventually able to complete the full 90 minutes. “[The medical team] will examine Bellingham tomorrow, I don’t think it will be anything serious and hopefully he’s back for Wednesday”. Madrid’s next game is a Champions League tie against Braga at the Santiago Bernabéu, a key game in their pursuit to finish top of Group C.
Naturally, it was the first question that came to Ancelotti from the press room after the final whistle, but following the Italian’s immediate assessment of his English midfielder, the coach admitted that the side were “very hurt” after dropping points at home for the first time this season, adding that “we lacked a bit of precision”.
Ancelotti happy with overall performance
“Nobody deserved to come off”, said the manager when asked why it took so long to change things up on the pitch, “it was a good game from us, we had 22 shots, we were aggressive, but we just didn’t score. The team showed their personality and didn’t hide away, that’s enough for me.”
Real Madrid’s next game, as mentioned, is a home tie against Braga in the UEFA Champions League. After that they play Valencia in LaLiga on Saturday 11 November, again at the Santiago Bernabéu. The game against Rayo saw Real Madrid lose top spot in LaLiga to Girona, who have 31 points after 12 games, while Madrid sit just 2 behind.