Jude Bellingham Set for Madrid Derby Return, Kylian Mbappe ‘100 Per Cent’ Fit Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to return for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid after being sidelined for seven weeks due to a hamstring injury, according to club coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The 22-year-old has not played since February 2, when he featured in a victory over Rayo Vallecano, and was recently named in England’s squad for March’s international break. Arbeloa confirmed Bellingham’s availability for the Madrid derby, stating the player will likely be included in the squad and is “available” for the match. Bellingham’s absence has led to increased playing time for 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch, who has stepped up in his absence. Arbeloa praised Pitarch’s performance, calling it “excellent news” and expressing enthusiasm about the competition between the two players. He emphasized that both can play together, noting that Bellingham’s return does not mean Pitarch will be sidelined. “I love these problems; it’s a blessed problem to have to choose between these two players,” Arbeloa said. Forward Kylian Mbappe is also set to return to full fitness for the derby, having made a substitute appearance in Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Manchester City. Mbappe, who had previously missed time due to a knee injury, was named in France’s squad for March’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia. Arbeloa confirmed Mbappe is “100 per cent” fit, citing his performance in the Champions League match as evidence. “In Manchester we saw two or three bursts of pace he made and in every move he showed he’s in great shape,” the coach said. He described Mbappe’s return as “maximum confidence, assurance and excitement” for the team.#real_madrid #alvaro_arbeloa #thiago_pitarch #kylian_mbappe #jude_bellingham
Jude Bellingham available for Real Madrid to face Atlético Madrid Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed that Jude Bellingham is fit and ready to play in the team’s upcoming LaLiga clash against Atlético Madrid. The midfielder, who had been sidelined since a hamstring injury on February 1, is now considered available for the derby match, with Arbeloa expressing confidence in his readiness. Bellingham was recently called up for England’s squad to face Uruguay and Japan, despite his limited involvement with Real Madrid in recent weeks. Arbeloa emphasized that Bellingham’s return to the squad will be carefully managed, noting that the midfielder’s availability for international duty does not conflict with his role in the club’s plans. “He’s available, and he’ll be in the squad tomorrow,” Arbeloa said. “We’ll see if he plays. I think so. I’m looking forward to seeing him on the pitch. He’s an intelligent player, and he knows what to do in every moment.” The coach also addressed Kylian Mbappé’s fitness, confirming that the forward is now “100%” following his return from a knee sprain. Mbappé made a substitute appearance in Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Manchester City, and Arbeloa praised his performance, stating, “He showed that he’s fine. I have absolute confidence... He’s at 100%.” Mbappé is expected to join France’s squad for matches against Brazil and Colombia during the international break. Arbeloa expressed support for both players’ national team call-ups, acknowledging the importance of their roles in international competitions ahead of the World Cup. “With players like Bellingham and Mbappé, you can’t expect them not to be called up by their national teams,” he said. “The World Cup is in a few months. I understand the situation perfectly.#real_madrid #alvaro_arbeloa #atltico_madrid #jude_bellingham #kylian_mbapp
Thomas Tuchel hones an England squad to suit his tactical vision The head coach will not necessarily pick the better player, or the one in form, but the one who best fits a specific role. Amid the intrigue of the final weeks of the domestic season, there is a reminder that the World Cup is fast approaching. England have just four more warm-up games before they face Croatia in their first group game in Arlington in June. Tuchel’s plans are coming into focus: these friendlies against Uruguay and Japan are the last chance for experiments or tests before the final honing in the USA. Tuchel has been refreshingly consistent in prioritising balance over individuals. Even Gareth Southgate fell into the celebrity trap near the end, his Euro 2024 squad a shapeless gaggle of stars who scrambled to the final despite an old-fashioned incoherence. For Tuchel, the stars-versus-system question crystallises around the central attacking midfield role, where Morgan Rogers has been preferred to Jude Bellingham in recent games. Although Cole Palmer has shown some signs of returning to form, that still feels like the highest-profile selection decision for Tuchel, particularly given his apparent disquiet around Bellingham’s robust self-confidence and the impact that may have on the rest of the squad. Bellingham hasn’t played since sustaining a hamstring injury at the beginning of February and will not feature against Uruguay. Rogers is one of 11 players who will not join up with the squad until after that first game, so with Bellingham unable to make his case, this is perhaps an opportunity for Palmer or Phil Foden. Given his capacity to play from the right and deputise for Bukayo Saka, Palmer would presumably go to the World Cup anyway; Foden’s place is less secure but bolstered by his versatility.#jude_bellingham #morgan_rogers #trent_alexander_arnold #thomas_tuchel #gareth_southgate
Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono Misses Clash with Manchester City The Real Madrid squad faces a pivotal match in the UEFA Champions League against Manchester City, and one of the most discussed absences in the white camp is that of Franco Mastantuono. The young Argentine talent, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu with high expectations as a promising prospect, has not been performing at his best under the current coaching staff. His lack of playing time has become a recurring issue in recent weeks of the season. Despite multiple injuries affecting the Madrid squad, Mastantuono has failed to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup. Factors such as disciplinary issues, subpar performance, and intense competition for attacking positions have relegated the former River Plate player to a secondary role. He is not among the main options for this high-stakes encounter against the English side in the continental tournament. The primary reason for Mastantuono's exclusion from the starting XI and first-choice substitutes in this match stems from his recent disciplinary and on-field performance. The Argentine was sent off during Real Madrid's defeat to Getafe on March 2, an incident that limited his playing time to just 21 minutes. The red card also prevented him from participating in the subsequent victory over Celta de Vigo, cutting short his competitive rhythm. Beyond the disciplinary issue, his recent performances have not met the standards expected of a player of his potential. In his limited appearances, he has struggled to adapt to the physical demands of Madrid's midfield, earning ratings between 6.4 and 6.6. These scores are considered modest for a player with his projected talent.#real_madrid #manchester_city #uefa_champions_league #franco_mastantuono #jude_bellingham
