By Sergio Silva
12 Feb 2024, 16:58 PM EST
Real Madrid is preparing for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against German side Leipzig. a duel for which he will not be able to count on the Englishman Jude Bellingham due to an injurysomething that does not cause headaches for merengue coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian strategist spoke this Monday at the press conference prior to the match that Real Madrid will hold on Tuesday in the return of the Champions League, which begins the definition stage and in which the Madrid residents will not be able to count on an important piece such as the midfielder. English.
“We never think about those who are not there, it is fair to think about those who are there. Now (Jude) Bellingham is gone but without him we have won four games out of four. It means that those who replaced him have done very well”“Carletto” considered.
Jude Bellingham was injured at the weekend during the important victory achieved by Real Madrid against Girona (4-0) which increased their lead at the top of LaLiga. The Englishman scored two goals but ended up leaving in the second half after suffering a grade three sprain to his left ankle..
The Italian coach did not want to give further information about the player he will choose to take the Englishman’s place in the starting eleven that will face the Germans in the first of the series in which a place in the quarterfinals is at stake. The two candidates are Brahim Díaz and Joselu.
“Be it Brahim or Joselu, who has different characteristics, we can do it very well. “Jude Bellingham is very important to us, as are (Éder) Militao, (Antonio) Rüdiger and (David) Alaba, but it is an opportunity for us to be more motivated.”said Ancelotti.
“We arrived well”
The coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, assured that the resumption of the Champions League comes in the middle of a good moment for the merengue team, which this weekend has just established itself as the leader of LaLiga with a clear victory over its most close pursuer, Girona (4-0).
“We arrived well because I think we have a good streak. We are in a good moment. The team is motivated and excited. The Champions League is back, the competition that we really like and we play against a powerful, quality rival.”considered the Italian.
Regarding the current rival, the experienced strategist highlighted the intensity with which the team led by Marco Rose plays, which is currently in fifth place in the German Bundesliga, fighting to get into the Champions League positions for next season.
“Leipzig plays with a lot of intensity and they have a lot of quality in attack. “We have to play a very complete game in the defensive and offensive aspects where we also have quality.”highlighted Ancelotti.
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