Jude Bellingham has been named in Real Madrid’s squad for their upcoming Champions League opener against Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabéu. The inclusion of the England midfielder is a significant boost for the team as he returns from a calf injury that has kept him out of action for the last four matches, as well as England’s recent Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Bellingham, who had a standout first season with Real Madrid, scored 23 goals in 42 appearances, contributing significantly to the team’s success in both La Liga and the Champions League. His return, alongside fellow midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and defender Éder Militão, is eagerly anticipated. Tchouaméni’s availability and the likely fitness of Militão, despite missing a recent training session, are expected to enhance the squad’s performance as they aim to make a strong start in the Champions League.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that Bellingham, Tchouaméni, and Militão are all in good condition for the match. Ancelotti mentioned, “Bellingham is fine, like Tchouaméni and Militão… who has not trained today because he needed one more day of recovery. The team is pretty good.” This is a positive update for the club, which has been dealing with a string of injuries and a demanding schedule.
Despite the encouraging news regarding player returns, Real Madrid has had a challenging start to their La Liga campaign. They find themselves four points behind their arch-rivals Barcelona after drawing two of their first five games. Ancelotti attributes the slow start to the late arrival of several players following international tournaments, including the European Championship and Copa America. He explained, “We could have two more points, but we are where we wanted to be. We knew that we could have some problems, because some have arrived on August 9. Before, the pre-seasons were five weeks, which is what a player needs to prepare well for the season. If you count from August 9, the five weeks are today. This has been a ‘pre-season period’. Now it’s time to evolve well and compete like last year.”
The Real Madrid coach has also expressed frustration with the congested fixture schedule, which he believes has contributed to the injury problems affecting his squad. Ancelotti criticized the current calendar, stating, “We have looked at what can be done, but it is not in our hands. The calendar is too demanding. If the governing bodies don’t start thinking that the players get injured because they play too much, we have a problem. I ask that the number of matches be reduced to have more attractive competitions.”
Ancelotti’s comments reflect a broader concern about the impact of an overcrowded fixture schedule on player health and performance. The increased number of games and the tight turnaround between matches are seen as factors that exacerbate the risk of injuries, making it crucial for governing bodies to address these issues to maintain the quality and competitiveness of the sport.
As Real Madrid prepares for their Champions League opener, the return of key players like Bellingham and Tchouaméni, along with the anticipated fitness of Militão, will be pivotal in their efforts to build momentum and secure a positive result. The club's focus will be on overcoming the early-season challenges and addressing the injury concerns while navigating a demanding schedule.
In summary, the inclusion of Jude Bellingham in the squad for the Champions League clash against Stuttgart is a welcome development for Real Madrid. The team is keen to capitalize on his return and make a strong impression in their European campaign. Ancelotti's concerns about the fixture congestion and its impact on player fitness highlight ongoing issues in football scheduling, underscoring the need for adjustments to ensure player well-being and competitive balance.
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