Real Madrid boss Ancelotti explains early Jude Bellingham substitution vs Bayern | OneFootball

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has tonight provided an explanation for his decision to haul Jude Bellingham off prematurely, during the club’s meeting with Bayern Munich.

Real, of course, are fresh off a return to action on the continent.

In the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie, Los Blancos made the trip to the Allianz Arena, for a showdown with the aforementioned Bayern.

When all was said and done in a riveting affair, the spoils were shared, owing to a 2-2 stalemate.

Vinícius Jr. proved himself the star of the show for Real, notching both of his side’s goals, in another decisive showing on the grandest stage.

On the other hand, fellow Blancos standout Jude Bellingham endured an altogether more subdued evening’s work in Bavaria.

Struggling to get himself into the game, Bellingham was ultimately hooked 15 minutes from time, for Luka Modrić.

With the Englishman having long established himself as something of a late-game goalscoring expert, the subject of his withdrawal, in turn, was put to head coach Carlo Ancelotti post-match.

And the Italian went on to reveal that Bellingham was suffering with physical issues:

“Bellingham had cramps after the 60th minute, which is why I had to sub him.”

It should also be noted that the 20-year-old has barely trained over recent days, after being forced to deal with a bout of illness.

Conor Laird | GSFN