Real Madrid has traveled to Leipzig, Germany, for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 fixture against RB Leipzig without English midfielder Jude Bellingham, who sprained his ankle in the weekend’s victory against Girona.

Los Blancos defeated Girona 4-0 in La Liga at the weekend, with Bellingham scoring a brace with both goals coming after Vinicius Junior’s sixth-minute strike and before Rodrygo’s hour-mark goal.

However, Bellingham was substituted three minutes after his 54-minute strike after a sprain to his ankle, as confirmed by Carlo Ancelotti after the fixture.

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder will miss Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League fixture in Germany after Ancelloti omitted him from the traveling squad.

Ancelotti brought three goalkeepers, including Andrey Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Nico Paz and Mario Martin got space among the regular big names like Kroos, Modrić, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, and Arda Güler.

However, RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose, who handled Jude Bellingham when he was at Borussia Dortmund, explained that Bellingham would have done everything possible to be fit for the game.

“I know Jude, he’s going to do everything to play the (return) game. He might see other doctors, I don’t know. We’ll see if he’s in or not. think he has come to the right team and he has surprised us with his performance, with a lot of goals, an unbelievable performance. I’ve had him for a year, he’s a great kid, with a great mentality, he moves very well.” said the RB Leipzig boss.

The second leg of the fixture will happen at Santiago Bernabeu on March 6 of, 2024.

REAL MADRID SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Lunin, Kepa and Fran.

Defenders: Carvajal, Nacho, Lucas Vázquez, Fran García, Mendy, Carrillo and Jacobo.

Midfielders: Kroos, Modrić, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Arda Güler, Mario Martín and Nico Paz.

Forwards: Vini Jr., Rodrygo, Joselu and Brahim.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu