Jude Bellingham, 20, was unlikely to be available for Real Madrid’s Champions League match against RB Leipzig due to an injury he sustained over the weekend. However, the manager of the German club, Marco Rose, will only believe it when he sees it.
Jude Bellingham exited the field in the 57th minute of Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory against Girona on Saturday, during which he scored two goals. Following the match, the club announced that he had suffered a severe sprain in his left ankle. Marco Rose, in anticipation of Tuesday’s first-leg match in the last 16 with Real Madrid, expressed doubts about the possibility of the Spanish club being without the top scorer in La Liga in Germany.
“I don’t believe he’ll be out until he’s not in the stadium tomorrow,” Rose told a press conference on Monday.
“I know Jude, he will do everything to play the Champions League game. He might see other doctors today in order to be fit. I’ve read a lot but we’ll see if he’s here or not.”
Marco Rose is familiar with Jude Bellingham’s abilities, having coached him at Borussia Dortmund in the 2021-22 season. However, even he was surprised to see Bellingham score 16 goals in the league and four in the Champions League so far this season.
“I think he’s at the right club and he made the right move. It doesn’t surprise me that he made such an impact,” Rose said.
“But the fact that he scores so many goals came as a bit of a surprise. I had him for a year, he’s a great guy and a great footballer with an unbelievable mentality.
“If he doesn’t play, Brahim Diaz would certainly be an option. Maybe they will play in a 4-3-3 system with Joselu up front.”
Real Madrid’s decisive victory against title contenders Girona has given them a five-point lead at the top of LaLiga. Marco Rose is fully aware of the threat posed by the upcoming opponent, whether or not Jude Bellingham is playing.
“They’re in good shape. They know what it means to play in this competition and win it, we have to concentrate on everyone, Brahim, Rodrygo, (Toni) Kroos, (Luka) Modric… They are all excellent. I could name others,” Rose said.
“But we have a good squad, good players. We’re going to give everything on the pitch and take our chances. We want to get a good result for this first leg, we want to be competitive with the ball, in possession.
“We are not afraid of anyone.”
