Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Jude Bellingham will "be back to his best" in next week's Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich.
The 20-year-old has had an incredible first season at Real Madrid, scoring 21 goals and registering 10 assists in 37 appearances in all competitions.
There were question marks over his influence in both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals against Manchester City, though, and he also struggled to get into Tuesday's semi-final first leg against Bayern.
Bellingham was replaced in the 75th minute of the game at Allianz Arena, when Real Madrid were 2-1 down, and the capital giants managed to fight back to draw 2-2 with the Bundesliga giants.
The ex-Birmingham City youngster has recently seen his campaign interrupted due to an ankle injury and La Liga suspension, while he did not play against Real Sociedad last Friday due to illness.
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Carlo Ancelotti backs Jude Bellingham to rediscover best form
Ancelotti has said that Bellingham's recent injury "affected him considerably", but the Italian is certain that his leading goalscorer will "be at 100%" for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final next week.
"He'll be back to his best. He had the injury, which affected him considerably. He hasn't been at his best, but he'll be back very soon and by Wednesday he'll be at 100%," Ancelotti told reporters.
Bellingham has scored 17 times and registered four assists in 25 La Liga appearances during the 2023-24 campaign, while he has managed four goals and four assists in nine Champions League outings.
Ancelotti was also full of praise for Toni Kroos following the clash in Germany, with the midfielder's standout moment coming in the first period, when his pass allowed Vinicius Junior to send Real Madrid ahead.
"It's quite normal for him to be one of those with the best pass. He's one of the best midfielders with these characteristics," added the head coach.
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Carlo Ancelotti hails Toni Kroos, Vinicius Junior
"We wanted to handle the ball better because it was difficult for them to win the ball back and he handles the ball like nobody else."
Ancelotti also reacted to the contribution of Vinicius, with the Brazilian netting twice in the 2-2 draw, and he has now moved onto 21 goals in all competitions this season.
"He can play there, as a striker, because he's learned to move well without the ball and to attack the back line. He's very cool in front of goal. Of course you need a midfield player who can play that ball to you like for the first goal," said the Italian.
Real Madrid's attention will now switch back to La Liga, preparing to welcome Cadiz to Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon, with Ancelotti's side sitting 11 points clear of second-placed Barcelona at the summit.
Matt Law
