Jude Bellingham faces a late fitness test for their Champions League clash against Olympiacos due to a calf strain, adding to the team’s extensive injury crisis and mounting pressure on manager Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham faces a late fitness test for the Champions League match against Olympiacos after reportedly suffering a minor calf strain, adding to the Spanish giant’s extensive injury list.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is reportedly a doubt for the Spanish giants’ Champions League bout with Olympiacos.
The England international participated in training and made the trip to Greece with Los Blancos, but now faces a late fitness test just hours before kick off at Karaiskakis Stadium.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated FC, MARCA reports the 22-year-old is nursing a minor calf strain that puts his place in Xabi Alonso’s starting XI in question.
Bellingham is described as “at risk” of a more severe injury if he exacerbates the issue on Wednesday evening. Manager Xabi Alonso, therefore, could exercise caution with his best midfielder and keep him on the bench to start the game.
Losing Bellingham would be a major blow for an injury-ridden Real Madrid side already missing seven other players, including Thibaut Courtois, Dean Huijsen, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Franco Mastantuono.
Furthermore, the former Borussia Dortmund man has recorded six goal contributions in his last six appearances for Los Blancos.
The pressure is high on Alonso, whose job has been called into question following the 15-time European champions stumbling in their last three matches, falling to Liverpool and then sharing points with Rayo Vallecano and Elche.
Adding to the tension, the 15-time Champions League winners have never won a match on Greek soil. A win is expected to offer reprieve and improve the club’s chances of finishing in the top eight of the league phase.