Jude Bellingham is unavailable to represent Real Madrid and England for the next few weeks, including the game against Real Valladolid this Sunday.
Real Madrid will be eager to return to winning ways when they welcome Real Valladolid to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Jude Bellingham has picked up a muscle injury that will keep him on the sidelines for the next few weeks. The English midfield sensation has joined David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga on the sidelines, with the trio not featuring in the home side’s squad for this weekend’s game.
Ancelotti discussed several players during his pre-match press conference, including Jude Bellingham’s absence. He also spoke about the intense schedule and the speculation around Rodrygo’s future. The Italian tactician said on Bellingham, “He has had a knock and they are evaluating him. We play when and where we are told. We have to take into account the health of the players and nothing else.”
On Rodrygo, the Real Madrid manager said, “I spoke to him and asked him if something had happened. It was false, he is very happy here and is working very well. He has been one of the best in these matches and there is no problem with him. We all know the qualities he has. He has done very well in these two games.”
“He scored against Mallorca and contributed a lot against Atalanta. When we have an attacking team, the forwards have to work a little harder and he is doing very well. There is no issue with Rodrygo for me. He is very happy and content because he is playing. It is an issue that we do not discuss because there is nothing to discuss.”
Rodrygo will feature in the Real Madrid attack alongside Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, with the home side lining up in a 4-3-3 formation against Real Valladolid. The midfield unit should feature Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Brahim Diaz, with the latter replacing Jude Bellingham.
The backline should feature familiar faces, with Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, and Eder Militao starting. However, Fran Garcia might start in place of Ferland Mendy, with Ancelotti starting his rotation. Finally, there is no looking past Thibaut Courtois between the sticks.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Diaz; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
