In the world of football, injuries are an unfortunate reality that teams have to face from time to time. And Real Madrid is currently grappling with the absence of one of their key players, Jude Bellingham, who is expected to be out of action for three weeks due to a sprained ankle. The midfielder's absence has raised questions about how the team will cope, especially as they gear up for their Champions League round-of-16 first leg against RB Leipzig.
However, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has come forward to back his team, expressing confidence in their ability to perform well even without Bellingham on the field. In a pre-match news conference in Leipzig, Ancelotti highlighted that the team has already won four games this season without the influential midfielder. He commended the players who have stepped in to replace Bellingham, such as Brahim Díaz and Joselu, acknowledging their contributions and stating that they have performed well.
Ancelotti also emphasized that the focus should be on the players who are available rather than those who are injured. He encouraged the team to seize the opportunity and approach the game with even more motivation, highlighting that Bellingham's absence opens up the possibility for others to shine on the field.
In addition to the concerns surrounding Bellingham's injury, there are other discussions surrounding the future of midfielder Toni Kroos. The German player is currently unsure about extending his contract with Real Madrid beyond this summer and has also been contemplating a return to the Germany national team for the Euros. Kroos recently retired from international football after Euro 2020, earning 106 caps for Germany and winning the 2014 World Cup.
Kroos admitted that he has yet to make a decision regarding his future. He expressed his gratitude for the support from fans who want him to continue playing and acknowledged that he needs more time to think about what he wants. Ending his career at the highest possible level is important to him, and he wants to ensure that any decision he makes is the right one. As for his potential return to the national team, Kroos stated that he is still considering it, but similar to his contract extension, he remains uncertain.
When asked about Kroos' performance this season, Ancelotti spoke highly of the midfielder's consistent excellence. He praised Kroos for maintaining the same level of quality throughout his career and highlighted his ability to manage the game with exceptional ball control. Ancelotti also commended Kroos for standing out among the energetic young players in the Real Madrid squad.
In a twist of events, Madrid faced some unexpected challenges on their journey to Leipzig due to a strike by security staff at Leipzig airport. This forced the team to fly to Erfurt and complete their journey to the match venue by bus. It was reported that the bus was involved in a minor collision with a car, although fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries.
The circumstances leading up to the match may have added some turbulence, but Real Madrid and their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, are determined to navigate through these obstacles. With the absence of Jude Bellingham, Ancelotti's faith in his team's abilities is a testament to their squad depth and the talent within their ranks. As they step onto the field in Leipzig, Madrid will seek to overcome adversity and continue their pursuit of Champions League glory.
