Real Madrid News
Real Madrid launch appeal to overturn key midfielder’s booking before Sociedad clash
According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid have launched an appeal against the yellow card shown to Jude Bellingham during the 66th minute of their 2-0 away win over Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
The booking, his fifth of the season, triggers a one-match suspension, meaning the English midfielder is currently set to miss the final La Liga game of the campaign against Real Sociedad.
However, with that fixture marking Carlo Ancelotti’s final match at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid manager, the club is determined to ensure Bellingham is available to participate in what promises to be an emotionally significant occasion.
Real Madrid ready to appeal
The yellow card was issued by referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer, who adjudged Bellingham to have committed a foul on Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez.
But Real Madrid argue that the decision was excessive and unwarranted. According to EFE, the club believes there is a strong case for the card to be overturned and is optimistic that the appeal will be successful.
If the card is indeed rescinded, Bellingham would be cleared to play in front of the Madrid home fans one last time this season, offering a fitting send-off alongside Ancelotti, who will depart the club to take charge of the Brazil national team this summer.
Having already played a key role, Bellingham’s presence on the pitch would be symbolic of the transition between the current era and what is expected to come under new leadership.
While Real Madrid have already lost the La Liga title to Barcelona, the match against Real Sociedad carries emotional and symbolic weight.
Ancelotti, the most successful coach in the club’s history, will bid farewell to the home crowd, and the presence of a marquee player like Bellingham would undoubtedly add to the occasion’s significance.
The club’s legal and sporting departments are now working swiftly in hopes that the appeals committee will rule in their favour before the weekend.
After a month into the new season, Aurelien Tchouameni is finally back in action for Real Madrid.
The Frenchman made his first appearance of the season for the Merengues last night against Inter Milan after recovering from the muscular injury that delayed his campaign.
His return to fitness had raised questions over where he would fit into Mourinho’s plans.
Tchouameni has been a regular in Real Madrid’s midfield for several seasons under different managers, but the end of last season was far less straightforward.
His confrontation with Federico Valverde, combined with speculation over his future at the club, created uncertainty about his position. His lack of a proper pre-season also appeared to put him behind other midfield options.
Bernardo Silva had established himself as an important figure, while Eduardo Camavinga was also ahead of Tchouameni in terms of match fitness.
With Real Madrid looking for greater creativity in midfield, there were questions over whether the Frenchman would still be a first-choice player.
Key for Mourinho
According to AS (h/t Bernabeu Digital), however, Mourinho has no such doubts. Tchouameni remains a key player for the Portuguese coach and is expected to be a starter.
Mourinho sees the French international as a midfielder without a direct replacement in the squad.
For Jose, Tchouameni provides something that none of the other midfielders in the squad do – a more defensive and positional presence, combining his tactical discipline with considerable physical strength.
His ability to shield the defence and provide balance could be particularly important for a Real Madrid side that want to defend aggressively and attack quickly in transition.
For that reason, his absence at the start of the campaign has not changed the manager’s view of his importance.
Mourinho faces a midfield selection problem
The challenge for Mourinho now is finding a way to fit all the pieces together.
If Tchouameni is guaranteed a starting position and Valverde is considered untouchable as captain, the obvious consequence is that Bernardo could find himself starting from the bench.
The summer arrival had been given an important role in helping Real Madrid control and distribute possession from deeper positions.
However, with Tchouameni and Valverde both occupying midfield places, Mourinho cannot accommodate everyone in the same lineup.
How the Portuguese coach manages that competition will be interesting to see in the coming weeks.
