Jude Bellingham, often decisive during major meetings with Real Madrid since his great start to the season, must find his wings on Wednesday after a failed first leg against Manchester City (3-3), reigning European champion. For this quarter-final return to the Etihad, the Englishman hopes to regain his sensations at the right time.
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Bellingham has come down from his cloud. The Golden Boy of Birmingham, who estimated last December to be “ flying » after a record debut at Real at just 20 years old, is experiencing a complicated second part of the season, between physical problems, suspensions and lack of juice.
Discreet, even absent, during the spectacular quarter-final first leg against Manchester City, Jude Bellingham, author of 20 goals in his first 30 matches in the Merengue jersey, has not found the net for more than two months.
A drop in form which comes at the worst time for the Merengues, who had until now been able to count on his talent and his success during the big meetings this season in the group stage of C1 (4 goals in 5 matches), in the Clasico against FC Barcelona (double) or the clash at the top of La Liga against Girona (double).
The Spanish press is unanimous: Real will need a great Bellingham on Wednesday to hope to tame the reigning European champion in their stadium, where they sank last year (4-0).
Still young
“ Either Bellingham recovers or a return to the Etihad seems almost impossible » estimates, for example, the sports daily Marca, which judged the performance of the man he described as Zinédine Zidane’s heir a few weeks ago as “grey”.
“ Did he play badly? No, but he was not the crack that Madrid needed to win the Champions League. Against City, he tried, but he lacked energy and spark »wrote the newspaper in its post-match analysis.
For the British daily The Guardian, “Bellingol” was eclipsed in his playmaking duel by his teammate in the selection Phil Foden who “ brought Manchester City to life » by equalizing at 2-2 with a gem in the top corner.
“ Bellingham is still very young. This will sometimes be seen […]. He was involved, but also ineffective, and struggled to accept the fact that he was not influencing the game », Estimated the Guardian in a column.
Usually comfortable in a 4-4-2 diamond system built around him by his coach Carlo Ancelotti, the England international was also a victim of the Italian’s tactical choices, which gave more freedom to Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in front, asking him for more defensive work.
A connection to reestablish
One of the keys to the match will therefore surely be Bellingham’s ability to once again influence his team’s play, by reconnecting with his two brilliant Brazilian attacking colleagues in the first leg (2 assists for Vinicius and 1 goal for Rodrygo).
At the Santiago Bernabéu last week, the three most decisive Madrid players only exchanged around thirty balls, Eduardo Camavinga and Toni Kroos systematically searching for the two Brazilian arrows in depth, often without a relay by the Englishman.
And this direct game in transition worked so well that it is hard to imagine the Italian technician giving it up to satisfy his British jewel.
“ The start of the season had a leader: Jude Bellingham. But the Englishman’s star has faded in recent weeks and it is Vinicius and Rodrygo who have taken the reins », assures the Iberian sports daily AS.
The two stars of the Seleção have indeed scored 9 of Madrid’s last 17 goals, in all competitions, to allow Real to continue their almost perfect season.
It’s up to Bellingham to reverse the trend to bring the Spanish giant closer to a 15th continental crown. The first since the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, heroes of his greatest European exploits.
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