Bellingham’s Praise for Mbappe and Valverde
Jude Bellingham, the young sensation from Real Madrid, couldn’t help but heap praise on his teammates, Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde, following their impressive 3-1 victory over Manchester City in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off. Bellingham, who has quickly become a key player for the Spanish giants, highlighted the prowess and unpredictability of Mbappe. "It’s brilliant – you go into games knowing that he’s going to affect games if you give him the ball," Bellingham told TNT Sports. "Our job behind is to try to put the front three in the best positions possible. When Kylian gets the ball in areas where he likes to get the ball, he’s going to be dangerous. You see the goals today – right foot, left foot – and it’s incredible what he’s done in his career. He had a slow start and he was getting used to life here, but now he’s flying and it’s a pleasure to watch."
Valverde’s Unsung Heroics
Bellingham’s admiration didn’t stop with Mbappe; he also praised the often-overlooked Federico Valverde, who stepped up as a right-back and even took on the captain’s role. "So important – he goes under the radar massively," Bellingham said. "Tonight he played at right-back and looked like he’s never played anywhere else. He’s just unbelievable and a great team-mate. Coming into that captain’s role as well in such a big game, he just embraces everything so well. He’s a pleasure to play with." Valverde’s versatility and leadership were crucial in this high-stakes match, demonstrating the depth and resilience of Real Madrid’s squad.
The Importance of Positional Flexibility
Since joining Real Madrid in 2023, Bellingham has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, playing both as a midfielder and an attacker. He acknowledged the challenges and the sacrifices that come with such versatility. "It takes a lot of sacrifice," he said. "You always want to play in the position you’ve known and suits you the best. Rolling out to left midfield, it takes time to learn. Especially when you see your full-backs coming inside, wingers dropping deep. You have to study the opposition you’re playing against. Rodrygo goes out onto the right; it’s not always his favourite position, but no one complains. We try to get on with it and work as a group." Bellingham’s willingness to adapt and his team-first attitude are significant assets for Real Madrid, contributing to the team’s overall strength and fluidity.
Real Madrid’s Unpredictable Nature
One of the key strengths of Real Madrid, according to Bellingham, is their ability to keep opponents guessing. "What gives us our major strength is our freedom with the ball – we’re so unpredictable to play against because of the movement and fluidity," he noted. This unpredictability was evident in the way they seamlessly switched positions and movements on the pitch, making it difficult for Manchester City to contain them. Bellingham’s insights highlight the tactical brilliance and cohesion within the team under Carlo Ancelotti’s guidance.
Handling the Absence of Erling Haaland
Real Madrid’s triumph was even more impressive given the absence of Manchester City’s top striker, Erling Haaland, who was left on the bench due to an injury sustained the previous weekend. Bellingham spoke about the challenge and the team’s approach: "It’s difficult – you always want to play teams at their best and I hope he’s not too bad. He’s a good mate ou pof milayne. Y what you’re up against and we managed it well today. When their key players don’t play, they still have other players who can step in and cause damage. We nullified that well." Despite Haaland’s absence, Real Madrid remained focused and executed their game plan effectively, showcasing their defensive prowess and collective strength.
Looking Ahead: The Madrid Derby and Beyond
With their victory over Manchester City, Real Madrid have secured their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. They could now face either La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid or Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen. Bellingham is excited about the prospect of a Madrid derby: "You’re always going to play against the best teams at this point. That would be something – here, away, it would be two special games. We’ll see what happens. If we play like we did tonight, we’ll have a good chance." The English international’s confidence and positivity offer a glimpse into the mindset of a team that is hungry for more success and ready to face any challenge that comes their way.
