Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti assures fans that star midfielder Jude Bellingham is “OK” after his substitution in the 89th minute of their impressive 2-1 Champions League win against Braga on Tuesday night.
Bellingham’s crucial goal secured Madrid’s victory, maintaining their perfect record of nine points at the top of Group C, with three wins from three games. The team now turns its focus to the highly anticipated Clasico clash against Barcelona in LaLiga this Saturday.
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“He is OK,” Ancelotti reassured when asked about Bellingham’s substitution. “His adductors were slightly strained due to the soft pitch, but it’s nothing serious. He will recover soon. Everyone feels a bit tired at this point, but that’s to be expected.”
The opening goal came courtesy of Rodrygo in the 16th minute, capitalizing on a fantastic run by Vinícius Júnior down the left flank. Bellingham extended the lead in the 61st minute with a precise low shot into the far corner.
“It’s normal to face some difficulties in away matches,” said Vinícius, who provided the assist for Bellingham’s goal. “However, we played well, converted our chances into goals, and could have scored even more. We need to maintain this momentum after winning our first three matches.”
At just 20 years old, Bellingham continues to make consistent scoring contributions to Madrid. The Englishman has now scored in each of the first three Champions League matches for two consecutive seasons, replicating his remarkable form with Borussia Dortmund in the 2022-23 campaign.
His influential midfield presence enabled Madrid to dominate the game from the start, reflected in Braga’s inability to register a shot on target in the first half. This victory sets the stage for Madrid’s first encounter against Barcelona this season, with Madrid leading by one point in the LaLiga standings after 10 matches played.
“I have a clear plan,” Ancelotti confidently stated regarding Madrid’s approach for the upcoming clash. “After this game, it’s evident what we need to do—strive for victory and give our all on the field. We have ample time to prepare. Today, I made a few changes to the lineup due to some players feeling sore. [David] Alaba has recovered from his injury.
“The same goes for [Ferland] Mendy. It may have been a risky decision, but the substitute players performed exceptionally well. I was particularly impressed with [Eduardo] Camavinga’s performance as a pivot. We will enter the next important match in high spirits.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
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