Arbeloa to recall Bellingham for crucial Bayern Munich second leg
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa is set to recall Jude Bellingham to his starting lineup for next Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich, according to reports in Spain. The move is part of a planned triple change as Los Blancos attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg at the Allianz Arena.
Spanish outlet Marca reports that Bellingham, who came off the bench to play the final half-hour in the first leg, will be reinstated to the starting eleven. The England international is expected to be joined by defender Eder Militao, who replaced Dean Huijsen during the match, and left-back Ferland Mendy, provided he proves his fitness in time.
The changes come after a narrow defeat in Madrid, where goals from Bayern's Michael Olise and Mathys Tel outweighed an early strike from Vinicius Junior. Arbeloa expressed confidence after the match, stating he was convinced his side could turn the tie around in Germany. The planned alterations appear to be a direct response to the first leg's shortcomings, particularly on the left flank where Alvaro Carreras struggled against Olise.
Mendy's return from injury would directly address that vulnerability. The French defender returned to training last Tuesday but the first leg came too soon for his recovery. His experience and defensive solidity are viewed as crucial for containing Bayern's right-sided threat in the decisive second leg.
Bellingham's reintroduction is necessitated, in part, by the suspension of Aurelien Tchouameni, who picked up a yellow card in Madrid. This leaves a vacancy in midfield that the 22-year-old is primed to fill. His energetic second-half appearance provided a spark for Real Madrid, who improved after the interval and created chances through Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior that went unconverted.
The final tactical decision for Arbeloa surrounds whether Bellingham's inclusion is a straight swap for Tchouameni or if it prompts a further reshuffle. One option would see Fede Valverde and Thiago Pitarch anchor the midfield, with Bellingham and Arda Guler operating with more offensive freedom ahead of them. Alternatively, Eduardo Camavinga could return to the side, which would likely see either Pitarch or Guler make way.
Bellingham's potential start marks a significant moment in his season, which has been interrupted by injuries. When fit, he has remained a pivotal figure for Real Madrid since his high-profile move from Borussia Dortmund, combining goal threat from midfield with relentless pressing and creative passing. His performance in a high-stakes European away leg could be definitive for both his club's season and his own narrative this campaign.
The planned changes underscore the high-stakes nature of the fixture for Arbeloa's side. With the La Liga title race also in a delicate phase, progression in Europe is a paramount objective for the Spanish giants. Facing a Bayern Munich side that also missed clear chances in the first leg, Real Madrid's revised lineup will be tasked with controlling the game in hostile territory to secure a place in the semi-finals.
