Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said star midfielder Jude Bellingham was fine after being substituted in the 89th minute of their 2-1 Champions League win at Braga on Wednesday morning.
Bellingham scored Madrid’s second goal of the night to help secure a victory that saw them go perfect on nine points at the top of Group C through three games ahead of Saturday’s El Clasico against Barcelona in LaLiga.
“He’s fine,” Ancelotti said when asked why Bellingham was replaced.
“His adductor is a little full because the field is a bit soft. But nothing special. He will recover. He’s fine. He’s a little tired, like everyone else. But that’s normal,” he continued.
Rodrygo put Madrid ahead in the 16th minute with a shot from inside the penalty area off a pass from Vinícius Júnior on the left wing, and Bellingham added to the lead in the 61st minute with a low shot at the far post.
“It’s normal to suffer a little bit in an away game,” said Vinícius, who had the assist on Bellingham’s goal.
“But we played well and scored with the chances we created. And we should be able to score more. We have to maintain this pace after winning the first three games.”
The 20-year-old Bellingham has never gone consecutive games without scoring for Madrid.
The Englishman has scored in the first three matchdays of the Champions League for the second successive season, having done the same with Borussia Dortmund in the 2022-23 season.
He controlled the pace of the game in midfield to help Madrid dominate from the start.
Braga, who have won five in a row in all competitions, did not have an attempt on target in the first half.
Real Madrid will prepare for their first match against Barcelona this season, with Madrid one point ahead of the Catalan side after 10 games played.
“I have a clear idea,” Ancelotti said of Madrid’s approach to Saturday’s game.
“After this match, it’s pretty clear what we want to do. And that is to try to win. Do everything we can to try to win. We have time to prepare. Today I changed the lineup a little bit, because some players are a little sick.[ David] Alaba is back from injury.”
“The same thing happened with [Ferland] Mendy. It could have been risky, but the substitutes did very well. I really liked [Eduardo] Camavinga as a pivot. He played a great game. We will arrive with great enthusiasm at next match. important match.”
