MADRID (AP) — A day after the first Clasico of the season, Real Madrid celebrated ending a losing streak against Barcelona and praised Jude Bellingham’s return to form.
Bellingham had an assist and a goal for Madrid. 2-1 win over Barcelona on Sunday It ended a four-game losing streak against their Catalan rivals. The England international has shown signs of being close to being fit again after missing the first half of the season due to shoulder surgery.
Bellingham scored for the first time this season in Madrid’s 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, making it his first consecutive game to score. He shows no signs of physical discomfort and plays a key role in controlling the pace in the team’s midfield and attack.
Bellingham underwent surgery in the summer and did not play in his first game until September, when he came on as a substitute against Espanyol in the Spanish league. He made only his eighth appearance of the season on Sunday.
“I feel really good,” Bellingham said. “I have been working hard in the past few months with my physiotherapist and in the gym. I am very happy now because I feel great and I am ready for what lies ahead.”
Bellingham scored the winning goal against Barcelona thanks to some clever positioning after a cross into the area. Vinicius Junior’s long cross was headed home by teammate Eder Militao, who found Bellingham wide open behind a defender and easily touched the open net.
“These are my favorite goals,” the 22-year-old Bellingham said. “A lot of people say it’s luck, but for me that’s how you understand the game. When the ball goes all over the place, position changes everything. And I’m always ready when it comes. Militão matched it with his head, so I was able to be there and score.”
Bellingham was in good form again, providing the assist for Kylian Mbappé’s opening goal. Bellingham received the ball near the midfield line, quickly turned around his defender and played a perfect through ball between several Barcelona players to Mbappe. Mbappe entered the area and calmly slotted the ball into the net for Madrid’s opening goal.
“They’re playing very high up the field,” Bellingham said. “We have Mbappe and it’s easier up front. I turned and passed and he took the shot and scored.”
Madrid manager Xabi Alonso praised Bellingham and said he expected him to continue to improve the more he plays.
“He had three very good games and we knew he needed a few minutes to get up and get the feel before the final break,” Alonso said. “He performed better than expected after the break. He is a player who is very interested in feeling, communicating and connecting. He has had some very good games.”
The Clasico victory moved Alonso’s team five points behind Barcelona in the Spanish league standings.
Madrid’s next game will be at home against Valencia in the league on Saturday.
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