Jude Bellingham, out for about three weeks | Soccer | Sports

Total it up and continue to Madrid Infirmary. Jude Bellingham is suffering from a serious sprain in his left ankle, as the club reported this Sunday, and medical predictions indicate that the Englishman will not be available before the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Leipzig, March 6. . Between the two, the white team plays four matches: the first leg in Germany (Tuesday), Rayo in Vallecas (February 18), Sevilla at home (25) and Valencia in Mestalla (March 2).

The defeat of the Englishman for the next European duel is added to that of Antonio Rüdiger, who suffers from an injury to the vast lateral side of the left thigh and it is estimated that he will be absent from the field for approximately two weeks. On the other hand, Carlo Ancelotti hopes to recover Nacho, who trained normally this Sunday after being excluded from the match against Girona due to overload. He should form the axis of defense with the pivot Tchouameni, resource in case of emergency in the absence of the German, Militão and Alaba (the latter two, due to cross breaks).

Bellingham, who scored twice against Michel’s team, retired in the 57th minute due to a very painful left ankle injury after two sprains, one in each half. Ancelotti indicated during a press conference that he was suffering from a sprain, without closing the door to his participation in Leipzig. However, it was learned on Sunday that the decline would last around three weeks. And it could have been worse, according to the club, since he was close to a more serious injury, similar to that of Vinicius in 2019 against Ajax, a torn ligament in his right ankle that kept him away for two months.

This is the second physical accident this season for the League’s top scorer (16 goals; 20 in total over the season) after the left shoulder problem at the beginning of November. A bad fall against Rayo at the Bernabéu, a shock that he completed, made him miss the next two matches (Braga and Valencia, both at home and resolved with comfortable victories). His replacement at the time was Brahim Díaz, on the rise since then after a start to the season in the shadows and with few opportunities. The other three matches of the year without Bellingham, Madrid also won (two against Las Palmas and against Arandina in the Cup).

The fall of Bellingham deepens Madrid’s succession of physical misfortunes this season, with three cross breaks (Courtois, Alaba and Militão), and the chance of losing this Saturday against Girona the only two healthy central defenders remaining in the squad. (Rüdiger and Nacho) after the misadventures of Alaba and Militão and not attending the winter market. The first leg of the Champions League round of 16, the classic European frontier for the Whites every season, is being played without their top scorer and with just one healthy central defender (Nacho). A medical condition which forced the team to tighten up and which contrasts with the sporting health of a team which achieved its best performance of the season this Saturday against Girona (4-0).

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