Ancelotti took Bellingham off in the 89th minute of their 2-1 win over Braga in UCL on Tuesday night
By Kehinde Okeowo
Real Madrid boss, Carlo Ancelotti has assured fans that Jude Bellingham will be fit to play against Barcelona after he was taken off in the 89th minute of their 2-1 win against Braga in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) on Tuesday night.
Bellingham scored Madrid’s winning goal in the encounter which ensured the La Liga giants got the maximum points after three games and sat on top of Group C.
However, after the Three Lions’ midfielder got substituted during the UEFA game, there was fear among the fans that he might have picked up a knock and may not be available for the Clasico against Barcelona on Saturday.
Speaking on the development when asked why Bellingham was substituted before the end of the game, Ancelotti said it was a precautionary move and assured he would be okay.
He said: “He is OK. His adductors are a bit charged because the pitch was a bit soft.
“But nothing special. He will recover. He is OK. He is a bit tired, like everybody else. But that’s normal,”
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Bellingham has scored 8 times in 9 appearances for Madrid since he arrived from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Meanwhile, Arsenal and Man United joined Real Madrid in recording important wins in their Champions League third group game on Tuesday night.
Arsenal came into the game against Sevilla with 3 points from two games, after beating PSV and losing 2-1 at Lens. They, however, went top of Group B with a 2-1 win over Sevilla.
Gabriel Martinelli gave Mikel Arteta’s men the lead in the first half before Gabriel Jesus curled in a spectacular effort to make it 2-0.
Nemanja Gudelj, however, later pulled one back for the home side.
At Old Trafford, Harry Maguire’s header proved to be crucial, as Manchester United saw off a stubborn FC Copenhagen 1-0.
The Red Devils had Andre Onana to thank, as the Cameroon goalkeeper saved a last-minute penalty to ensure United won their first game of this season.