Jude Bellingham may miss match against Real Valladolid due to injury

Real Madrid faces uncertainty ahead of their upcoming match against Real Valladolid, as star midfielder Jude Bellingham is now an injury doubt following a knock sustained during training. The 21-year-old has been instrumental in the club's successes this season, contributing to both domestic and Champions League victories. However, Madrid's attacking lineup struggled to make an impact in their recent 1-1 draw against Mallorca, where Bellingham was positioned in a deeper role behind forwards Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo. In a surprising move, manager Carlo Ancelotti opted for a closed training session at the Santiago Bernabeu, deviating from his usual pre-match media routine. Ancelotti clarified that this decision was not a reaction to the team's lackluster performance against Mallorca, which left him visibly frustrated. He emphasized that the change was merely to assess the pitch conditions, which have altered since last season. Ancelotti acknowledged the need for improved performance to effectively utilize a four-man attack featuring Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Bellingham, alongside two conventional midfielders. He noted that the team lacked balance in their last outing and is working diligently to address these issues ahead of the Valladolid match. The upcoming game will also mark Mbappe's home debut for Real Madrid after his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, with Ancelotti anticipating a warm reception for the French forward at the Bernabeu.