Real Madrid News
Jude Bellingham training with the team ahead of Real Madrid vs SC Braga
Amid doubts about his involvement in tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League clash between Real Madrid and SC Braga, midfield superstar Jude Bellingham is training with the rest of the team, reports Mario Cortegana of The Athletic.
Bellingham picked up a shoulder problem during the Merengues’ last game against Rayo Vallecano after enduring a strong fall to the ground early in the match.
On Monday, reports emerged claiming that the 20-year-old Real Madrid talisman had suffered a dislocated shoulder and would be a doubt for tomorrow’s game against Braga.
It was further suggested that Bellingham would miss the game against the Portuguese club but return as a starter for the Valencia clash in La Liga later this week.
But, in what could be a big boost for Carlo Ancelotti & co., Bellingham is training with the rest of the team as per normal today.
It bodes well for Real Madrid, considering that the summer signing has been their best player this season and by some distance.
Bellingham also happens to be the chief source of goals for the Merengues and his availability for the game against Braga will be a confidence booster as the team looks to secure qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
As things stand, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos, Thibaut Courtois, and Eder Militao remain sidelined through injuries for Real Madrid.
What now remains to be seen is whether Ancelotti decides to have Bellingham in the thick of things against Braga tomorrow or opts not to take any risk with the key midfielder.
Nico Paz was long hyped as Real Madrid Castilla’s brightest upcoming star. The media constantly kept the spotlight on the young Argentine through pre-season as he made a strong impression under Carlo Ancelotti in preseason.
His breakthrough eventually arrived, courtesy of Real Madrid’s injury crisis. He has now made two appearances for the team in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and even recorded his first goal for the club earlier this week against Napoli.
Taking his chances
As revealed by AS (h/t The Madrid Zone), Paz has impressed management with his cameo against Napoli and will be called up for Real Madrid’s clash against Granada tomorrow.
In fact, there is a good chance he sees significant game time on the night.
After all, Ancelotti is without the likes of Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the park.
With Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham filling the starting spots, Paz serves as the manager’s first-choice backup off the bench.
Paz voices his elation
Paz’s introduction against Napoli changed the texture of the game, and it was only poetic that he got the goal that put Real Madrid ahead again on the night.
Speaking to the media after his special night, the Castilla star did not hold back on his emotions.
“This is a dream. For a moment I didn’t even believe it. Very happy to be able to help the team. I dared. I was in automatic mode, I didn’t even know what I was doing. I hit it and well.”
“This is also a message for the other youth players: it is possible to get there. Ancelotti congratulated me, and the whole staff. They are an incredible group and I want to thank them all,” he added, urging his Castilla teammates to keep pushing.
