Bellingham brilliance won't save 'bang average' Real Madrid in UCL
Jude Bellingham's exceptional skills alone won't be sufficient to secure Real Madrid their 15th Champions League title, especially given the team's mediocre performance.
Real Madrid narrowly avoided a significant setback in the last-16 clash against RB Leipzig, and there's a lack of fear surrounding Carlo Ancelotti's team as they head into the quarter-finals. Prior to the second leg against RB Leipzig, fans at Santiago Bernabeu marked the club's 122nd anniversary with cheerful renditions of 'Happy Birthday.'
Since their establishment in 1902, Madrid has consistently upheld remarkable standards, clinching the European Cup 14 times and showcasing a stylish brand of football that mirrors their standing as the preeminent club globally.
On Wednesday night, Carlo Ancelotti's current set of star players failed to meet the expectations associated with their 'El Rey de Europa' (The King of Europe) title, proudly displayed by supporters in a massive banner just before the RB Leipzig kick-off. Despite being heavily favored to advance after securing a 1-0 victory at Red Bull Arena on February 13, Real Madrid faced a tense night on their home turf that came dangerously close to ending in disaster.
The Spanish giants managed to secure a 1-1 draw, which proved sufficient for progression, but there was no eruption of joy at the final whistle. In fact, the Bernabeu witnessed an almost complete silence, and the players appeared despondent as they made their way off the pitch.
Real Madrid's narrow escape was more about luck than a showcase of character or quality. Without significant improvements, the possibility of securing a 15th European crown for the Spanish capital seems highly unlikely.
Average Madrid vs Leipzig
Madrid performed below par throughout the match. In the first half, Leipzig outshone them with five shots on goal compared to Madrid's one, leading to audible frustration from the home crowd as boos echoed down on Ancelotti's lackluster team. Even with the introduction of Brazilian forward Rodrygo in the early stages of the second half, little changed.
The deadlock seemed inevitable for Leipzig, but Jude Bellingham took it upon himself to alter the game's course. In the 65th minute, the English midfielder exhibited a powerful solo run from his own half to the edge of Leipzig's penalty area, setting up Vinicius Jr for the crucial opening goal with a perfectly-weighted pass.
Although Willi Orban leveled the score shortly after, Leipzig continued to press for a winner. Real Madrid found themselves on edge, especially when Dani Olmo's impressive improvised volley hit the crossbar in stoppage time. Thanks to a combination of good fortune and a stellar performance from Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who also made nine saves in the first leg, Los Blancos held on for a draw, securing their spot in the quarter-final draw. However, they will undoubtedly seek to forget the largely lackluster display quickly.
Offering his assessment of the tie, former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves, speaking to TNT Sports, highlighted that despite Madrid's mediocre performance in both games, world-class players like Bellingham can turn the tide with exceptional moments.
Too much responsibility for Jude Bellingham
Based on their performance on Wednesday, Real Madrid may struggle to compete with Manchester City in the later stages of this season's Champions League. The memory of last year's 5-1 aggregate defeat to City in the semi-finals lingers in Ancelotti's mind, and despite improvements since then, there remains a noticeable difference in quality between the two teams.
Although Jude Bellingham has been outstanding since his €103 million (£88m/$110m) transfer from Borussia Dortmund, his presence alone may not be sufficient to bridge this gap. Despite his impressive debut campaign in Spain, where he has showcased maturity and skill beyond his years, becoming the team's primary goal-scoring outlet with 20 goals in just 31 appearances, there's still a clear need for a more balanced offensive and defensive contribution.
While Bellingham's ability to read the game and disrupt play has contributed to Madrid boasting the best defensive record in La Liga, the team's success in Europe might require Ancelotti to revert to his proven 4-4-2 formation, with Bellingham operating as a No.10. This would ensure the Englishman's increased involvement at both ends of the pitch. However, the current burden on Bellingham's shoulders and a lack of depth behind him could pose significant challenges for Ancelotti.
Bellingham and Vinicius seem to have developed a telepathic understanding
On a positive note, Bellingham now has the opportunity to collaborate with Vinicius in the attacking third, and signs of a promising partnership are emerging. The synergy between them was evident in Vinicius' goal against Leipzig, showcasing a rapid and intelligent run behind the defense as Bellingham orchestrated the play, demonstrating their understanding.
Together, Vinicius and Bellingham have contributed to 51 goals this season.
However, Ancelotti needs to ensure the team is strategically set up to maximize their impact. In the recent match, Vinicius often found himself isolated in the final third, and Bellingham struggled to get involved.
Madrid performs at their peak when Rodrygo partners with Vinicius up front, allowing Bellingham to drop slightly deeper. This dynamic duo wreaked havoc in the Champions League group stages against Napoli, with Bellingham praising Vinicius as "the best in the world" after their 3-2 victory.
Ancelotti emphasized, "We ask Vinicius to find the position where he feels best, on the outside or the inside, and Bellingham adapts. I think they combined well; they have a lot of creativity. When we have them both together on the left, we're dangerous."
In the second leg against Leipzig, Madrid's star pair had limited opportunities to showcase their partnership, but it turned out to be the defining moment in the tie. It's evident that Ancelotti cannot afford to adopt a similarly conservative approach in the future.
Real Madrid have a lot to worry about
Madrid faces a week of anticipation before learning the identity of their next Champions League opponents, with the draw for the quarter and semi-finals scheduled for March 15. Prior to that, they must focus on a crucial league fixture against Celta Vigo, a game in which Bellingham will be absent due to suspension.
Bellingham received a two-game ban following his red card in Real's 2-2 draw with Valencia, shortly after scoring what he believed was the winning goal. Referee Gil Manzano took offense to Bellingham's outburst, uttering, "it's a f*cking goal," moments before the whistle blew.
Yet, doubts remain about their ability to go all the way. Leipzig exposed significant flaws in Real's game, ones that City and other potential quarter-final opponents (Arsenal, Inter, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain) could exploit more effectively, even with Bellingham leading the charge.
