Real Madrid’s debacle against Arsenal in the Champions League left several players singled out for criticism for their performance, but amid the catastrophe, some escaped unscathed, such as Jude Belingham. The Englishman was the only one of Real Madrid’s four attackers who came close to performing at his best against Arsenal. Last night at the Santiago Bernabéu, little could be salvaged from a match in which a comeback was expected and ended in another defeat.
In the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, Jude Bellingham equalled former Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas as the players with the most Champions League appearances under the age of 22.
Both have played 47 games – including the one Bellingham played against Arsenal on Wednesday – a figure that the Englishman could increase in the coming seasons and leave the former Madrid goalkeeper behind.
Bellingham is one of those players who arrives at Valdebebas among the first and leaves among the last. “I’m happy in Madrid and I think I’ll be playing in white for the next ten or 15 years,” Jude said a few days ago, and his dedication and commitment were on display against Arsenal, but there is nothing he can do if the rest of the fantastic four are not at their best.
When Real Madrid has to defend, Bellingham rolls up his sleeves like few others to drop to the left wing in a 4-4-2 formation that forces him to work tirelessly; in attack, he is responsible for linking the midfield with the forward line.
Bellingham and his relationship with Vinicius
On Tuesday, Bellingham dispelled any suspicions of a deteriorated relationship with Brazilian Vinicius Junior, which has been the subject of much discussion in recent days after several moments were seen in which he reprimanded his teammate on the pitch for not defending.
“It’s football and it’s very normal that there are moments of tension on the pitch. Emotions are running high and you communicate with your teammates sometimes louder than normal,” he said.