sport news PETE JENSON: Jude Bellingham's arrival energised a tired Real Madrid midfield ... trends now
The Real Madrid team that was beaten 5-1 on aggregate in last season’s Champions League semi-final by Manchester City has had a major midfield upgrade since that demolition at the Etihad.
But while Jude Bellingham’s arrival is good news for Carlo Ancelotti, the Madrid coach is missing his world class goalkeeper and has only just got his best defender back.
So is this a better or worse Madrid than the one that left the Etihad with its tail between its legs last season?
Real Madrid were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Manchester City in last season's semi-finals
Carlo Ancelotti's side have undergone a midfield overhaul after their heavy loss to Man City
Speaking on Spanish radio several weeks ago former Spain and Real Madrid keeper Santi Canizares referred to Thibaut Courtois as: ‘not just the best keeper in the world right now but the best I have ever seen.’
Last season the Belgian was Madrid’s best player in the second leg despite the 4-0 scoreline.
Just recovered from a torn cruciate in his left knee he now has a torn meniscus in his right knee and so misses the game.
Ukraine keeper Andriy Lunin will replace him. He has had a good season keeping Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga out of the team.
But nobody can replace Courtois.
Balance: Net loss
Andriy Lunin will start in goal for Real Madrid but is not the same level as Thibaut Courtois
Also missing from the starting XI in the first leg will be Eder Militao.
He had been on a bad run of form ahead of last season’s meeting with City but he remains Real Madrid’s best defender. He’s back from a cruciate tear but has only played a couple of minutes so will not start.
In the centre of Madrid’s defence Antonio Rudiger holds everything together. He was brilliant in the first leg against Erling Haaland last season only to be left out of the second game as Ancelotti went with his favoured pair Militao and David Alaba (also currently injured).
Alongside Rudiger will be Nacho – a former Spain international but still the weakest of Madrid’s four centre-backs.
At right back Dani Carvajal is playing the best football of his career and at left back Ferland Mendy is solid and highly rated by Anclelotti who was without him last season.
Balance: Break even - no Militao and Alaba but Mendy, Rudiger and Carvajal are playing well.
Antonio Rudiger will look to keep Erling Haaland quiet again and hold the defence together
Right back Dani Carvajal is currently playing the best football at his career for Real
