REAL MADRID
When will Jude Bellingham play for Real Madrid next after the Champions League game against RB Leipzig?
England star Bellingham now knows the suspension he will serve after being shown a red card in the controversial draw against Valencia.
After the second leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League round-of-16 tie against RB Leipzig – where some tightrope walking is required – we won’t see Jude Bellingham in a white jersey for several weeks. After his on-the-whistle header against Valencia was controversially not awarded, the England star was shown a red card for aggressively shouting, “It’s a fucking goal,” at official Jesús Gil Manzano on a number occasions, according to the referee’s match report.
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How many LaLiga matches will Bellingham be suspended for?
The Spanish Soccer Federation’s (RFEF) Competition Committee met on Wednesday to decide on a suspension, which was confirmed to be two league matches. As a result, he will sit out the home match against Celta Vigo (10 March) and the trip to Osasuna (16 March). He should therefore return for the fixture against Athletic Club at the Bernabéu (31 March).
Assuming no sanctions collected in Europe and, of course, that Madrid overcome Leipzig, the Englishman will likely also feature in the quarter-finals, the first legs of which will take place on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 of April. It’s worth noting that the club is said to be planning to appeal the decision.
The 20-year-old will be desperate to sign off on a high against the Germans, especially after Saturday’s acrimonious ending in Valencia. Having missed the previous three matches because of an ankle problem, Bellingham appeared to be back at full fitness and in top form, which he will hope to carry into Wednesday’s match.
How has Bellingham’s role in the Real Madrid team changed?
With his team 1-0 up from the first leg, head coach Carlo Ancelotti expects a fully-firing Bellingham to help ensure Madrid kill off Leipzig off with the minimum of fuss. The former Borussia Dortmund star didn’t feature in the first leg of the tie but will have the opportunity to make up for lost time in Wednesday’s return match before having some time from club soccer. In Valencia, Bellingham played as a false nine so that he didn’t have to do too much defensive work in his first game back after injury. Against Leipzig, however, there will be no half measures.
Bellingham’s role in the team has changed somewhat since before New Year, with his goalscoring return reduced, if not his overall importance to the team. The Englishman has become more of an all-rounder instead of a quasi-striker, playing off the left more than through the middle.
As a result, he has been a less regular scorer this year. Up until 31 December, Bellingham scored 17 goals and set up five more (0.84 goals and 0.25 assists per 90 minutes). Since 1 January, he has scored three and assisted three (0.33 for both goals and assists), reflecting his deeper role as a creator.
Tchouaméni or Nacho in defence against RB Leipzig?
Ancelotti’s main selection dilemma against RB Leipzig is whether to pick Aurélien Tchouaméni in defence or in midfield. The Frenchman put in another accomplished performance at centre-back alongside Antonio Rüdiger, but Nacho is fit again and may return to the starting lineup, which could see Eduardo Camavinga drop out.
The rest of the team appears to pick itself, with Vinícius Júnior the main attacking threat once more. The winer has scored eight goals and assisted another three in 2024, with no player having more goals contributions (five scored, three provided) in LaLiga this year.
In Europe’s top five leagues, only Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic (nine goals and two assists) can match Vinícius’ numbers. With the Brazilian and Bellingham united once again, Ancelotti will expect Madrid’s undoubted firepower to see them through to the Champions League quarter-finals without any scares.