Real Madrid are hopeful that midfielder Jude Bellingham will be fit to play against Braga in Wednesday’s Champions League match, according to manager Carlo Ancelotti. Bellingham, who has scored in all three of Real’s Champions League games this season, suffered a dislocated shoulder in Sunday’s scoreless draw with Rayo Vallecano.
Despite the injury, Ancelotti remains optimistic about Bellingham’s chances. “He hasn’t done all of the training, to avoid blows, but he’s felt good in his movements,” Ancelotti told reporters on Tuesday. “He’ll probably play tomorrow, but I’ll evaluate it with him tomorrow.”
The match against Braga comes at a crucial time for Real Madrid, who recently lost their top spot in LaLiga to Girona. However, they lead Champions League Group C with three wins. A victory over Braga would guarantee qualification with two games to spare.
“We recently played against Braga, we know each other well, and we have to bear in mind that they are a good team that come to the Bernabeu to get points,” Ancelotti said.
Ancelotti also addressed recent comments from former Barcelona player Carles Puyol about Real forward Vinicius Jr’s attitude. “If Puyol wants to talk to Vinicius, let him talk,” Ancelotti said. “He (Vinicius) continues to make a difference. That he has to improve his attitude in some circumstances, that may be, but he has improved a lot and continues to improve.”
Real Madrid currently top Group C with nine points, followed by Napoli on six, with Braga in third place with three points.
