Real Madrid News
The number of matches Real Madrid midfielder will miss through hamstring injury
Jude Bellingham left the Santiago Bernabeu in tears last evening during the team’s clash against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
It was just the 10th minute of the game when the Englishman went down clutching his thigh, forcing an immediate substitution from Alvaro Arbeloa to replace him with Brahim Diaz.
Early reports suggested a hamstring injury with a rumoured period out of three weeks. Tests conducted later in the day have provided more clarity on the nature and extent of his setback.
Out for a month
After the game, Real Madrid confirmed that the midfield star had suffered a hamstring injury, specifically to the semitendinosus muscle of his thigh.
“After the tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle of his left leg,” the official update read.
While his recovery will dictate his return, Jose Luis Sanchez relays that the player is expected to be out for one month, which comes as a massive blow to Arbeloa’s plans.
He is, thus, set to miss the team’s next six games across February.
In La Liga, Bellingham will be unavailable for Real Madrid’s games against Valencia, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Getafe.
Compounding the situation this weekend is the fact that Vinicius Jr. will also be unavailable, leaving the manager without two mainstays.
Further, Bellingham is ruled out of both legs of Real Madrid’s game against Benfica later this month, which comes as a crushing update.
After all, the team were already set to feature in the first game without Rodrygo and Raul Asencio, and now missing Bellingham for both legs is devastating.
In the Englishman’s absence, one will expect the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Arda Guler to handle responsibilities in midfield.
There is also a strong case for Dani Ceballos, who has been sidelined by the coach in recent games.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
