Real Madrid Star Bellingham Makes Champions League History
Jude Bellingham made history in the Champions League match for Real Madrid, showing leadership both on and off the field. Following the game, he shared his honest thoughts on the team's performance.
"I think the score reflects the game. In the second half, they created more chances, and we didn’t defend well on set pieces," Bellingham told reporters. "In the first half, we controlled it well, but in the second half, not so much. When they scored in the second half, we wanted to push hard and lost possession a lot, giving them many more opportunities when we were at our most vulnerable."
This season, Bellingham has scored three goals and provided one assist in ten appearances for Real Madrid. He continues to work back into peak form after recovering from a shoulder operation.
Alonso Reflects on the Defeat
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso acknowledged the team’s offensive struggles in their match against Liverpool.
"I don’t feel like we were physically outmatched or lost any duels. The game was demanding, played at a high tempo," Alonso told reporters. "We lacked a cutting edge in the final third; it came down to details. We talked about it at halftime; we conceded a lot of fouls and corners, but that goal gave them the advantage, and it cost us."
Alonso added that it was difficult for his side to penetrate Liverpool's defense, as the opponents sat deep and limited space in the box. The coach emphasized that fine margins determined the outcome.
"It was difficult for us to get into the final third. They were dropping deep, and in the box, it was hard to create danger. It was a game that required hard work, gradually gaining ground, and then it came down to the details. In the end, it went their way."
Summary
Real Madrid’s Champions League setback revealed both Bellingham’s leadership and Alonso’s emphasis on precision and control as key factors for improvement.