4 months ago
33 ARTICLE AD
Real Madrid are sweating on the fitness of talisman Jude Bellingham as they return to Champions League action against RB Leipzig this evening.
The 14-time European Cup winners still boast an unblemished record in this year's competition as they look to reclaim their crown.
4
Los Blancos won six straight games to top Group C, while Leipzig finished runners-up to reigning holders Manchester City.
Madrid have lost just one of their last 15 Champions League matches against German teams but that was a 3-2 loss at Leipzig last season.
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid: Bellingham's absence
England superstar Bellingham is expected to be sidelined for weeks with an ankle injury.
Bellingham was forced out of Madrid's 4-0 victory against Girona on Saturday, having scored the club's second and third goals.
Read more on Jude Bellingham
The 20-year-old's double helped restore him to the top of the La Liga scoring charts while extending Los Blancos' lead in first.
However, it may be Europe where his absence is felt more strongly.
Bellingham has either scored or assisted in all five of his UEFA Champions League appearances for Real Madrid so far.
With four goals and three assists to his name, no player has been involved in more goals in the competition than him so far this term.
Most read in Champions League
Bellingham also leads all players in the UEFA Champions League this season for chances created following a carry (9) and via a line-breaking pass (6).
Indeed, no player has created more chances from open play in the competition overall this term than Bellingham (15).
4
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid: What has been said?
Leipzig boss Marco Rose has been speaking about his former player Bellingham featuring against his new side, having mentored the former Birmingham City starlet at Borussia Dortmund.
He said: "I won't believe he's out until he's at the stadium tomorrow.
"I know Jude, he'll do everything possible to play in the Champions League match.
"He may see other doctors, it's not known, I've read a lot. We'll see whether he is there or not."
Carlo Ancelotti says Bellingham and Zinedine Zidane are 'similar' in quality following his latest star showing.
Speaking after the match on the Galacticos of past and present, the Real boss said: "They are similar. They have unbelievable quality.
"Zidane was excellent technically, Bellingham is incredible at arriving at the box. His movement in the first goal, very few can do that."
4
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid: Team news
The hosts have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, but Amadou Haidara remains a doubt due to a minor knee injury.
Leipzig pair Mohamed Simakan and Benjamin Henrichs are both one booking away from serving a one-match European ban.
Madrid are set to be without talisman Bellingham, but Nacho Fernandez is expected to return to ease the club's injury crisis.
Eder Militao, David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois are all long-term absentees with ACL injuries, while Antonio Rudiger is also a major doubt.
4
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid: How to follow
This Champions League clash will take place on Tuesday, February 13.
Kick-off at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig is scheduled for 8pm UK time.
The game is broadcast live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage set to start at 7:30pm.
talkSPORT will have live updates throughout the night, while talkSPORT.com will also provide the best of the reaction as well.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
