sport news Julio Baptista backs Jude Bellingham to light up the Clasico as buoyant Real ... trends now
Former Real Madrid and Arsenal forward Julio Baptista has backed Jude Bellingham to all-but-secure his first LaLiga title by winning Sunday night's 'Clasico'.
Barcelona are banking on Real Madrid feeling the effects of Wednesday's draining 120 minutes against Manchester City in the Champions League.
But asked if he felt Barcelona had been thrown a lifeline in the title race by the fatigue and rotations likely to follow from their escapades at the Etihad, Baptista said: 'No, completely the opposite.
'If Carlo Ancelotti chooses to rotate then the player that comes in has been waiting for that chance, and he will want to do the best he possibly can.
'A lot of the starters will be the same and then for the players coming in knowing how important the game is they will be out to prove a point.'
Jude Bellingham has been backed by Julio Baptista to shine in Sunday night's Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Bernabeu
Real come into the title decider in high spirits after their European win over Manchester City
By contrast, Barcelona's miserable Champions League exit to PSG has cast a pall of gloom
Bellingham can take a huge step towards winning his first LaLiga crown on Sunday. Real Madrid will be 11 points clear of Barcelona if they win and with only 18 points left in play.
Baptista has been impressed with the way the Englishman has hit the ground running in Spain, scoring 20 goals in all competitions.
He said: 'I think he has adapted very well and he had an extraordinary start to his career at Madrid. Perhaps his level has dropped a little over the last month or so but maybe that is just the accumulation of games he has played.
'He has played a lot of minutes and sometimes players start to feel that in the legs, they are only human.'
He also praised the way the 20-year-old has integrated himself into the squad despite not speaking the language.
When Baptista signed for Real Madrid in 2005 he did so from LaLiga club Sevilla and with friendships with fellow Brazilians Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo already at the club.
'The key to adapting is to pass the maximum amount of time possible with team-mates speaking the language,' added Baptista.
Bellingham has been asked to play in Madrid's front three frequently this season and asked where he saw him ending up on the pitch Baptista said: 'I see him playing behind a striker or playing behind two strikers. I think that is where you will get the best out
