Real Madrid News
Jude Bellingham elated after Real Madrid beat Napoli 4-2: “We are a family”
Jude Bellingham was once again the star of the show as Real Madrid secured a 4-2 win over Serie A champions Napoli last night.
After going behind to a Giovanni Simeone strike, Los Blancos equalised through Rodrygo, before Bellingham made it 2-1 not long after.
Napoli equalised early in the second period, but two late goals from Nico Paz and Joselu ensured that Real Madrid bagged all three points at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The victory means that Los Blancos will now finish as the leaders of Group C in the UEFA Champions League, having won each of their five games in the competition thus far.
Bellingham ended the night with a goal and an assist, having set Joselu up for the fourth goal with a lovely outside-of-the-boot pass.
Soon after the Spaniard scored, he was seen apologising to the Real Madrid supporters, while Bellingham encouraged him to celebrate his goals in front of the fans properly.
Talking about the moment after the game, the Englishman said: “He always does great, he was a little embarrassed for missing so many chances, but it’s football and we have to support him until the end.”
“I tried to find him inside the area and fortunately I succeeded,” he added.
The England international, who is breaking record after record at Real Madrid, also spoke about the atmosphere in the dressing room, saying:
“We are a family. A great team. When one of us is going through a bad time, it is important to support them,” he stated.
Source: AS
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
