Real Madrid’s preparations for their crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal have been marred by internal discord.
A training ground altercation between two players has raised concerns about team unity ahead of the pivotal match.
Real Madrid had a difficult last week where they suffered a dismal defeat at the hands of Arsenal. On Sunday, they had a win over Alaves in LaLiga but Kylian Mbappe was sent off. Now amid this, reports have emerged that during a training session, two Real players were involved a scuffle.
As per the reports, Jude Bellingham was involved with a training ground bust-up with defender Antonio Rudiger and tempers flared between them, which needed to separate them from each other.
What happened between Antonio Rudiger and Jude Bellingham?
Reports indicate that during a training session, Rudiger’s aggressive tackle on Bellingham led to a heated exchange, necessitating intervention from teammates to separate the two. While the incident was reportedly resolved amicably, it underscores the mounting pressure within the squad as they face a significant challenge in overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Arsenal.
Adding to the team’s woes, Kylian Mbappe received a red card for a reckless challenge in their recent La Liga match against Alaves. The incident, likened to a “Roy Keane-style” tackle, has drawn criticism and could lead to further disciplinary action.
Despite these setbacks, Real Madrid managed a 1-0 victory over Alaves, with Eduardo Camavinga scoring the decisive goal. However, the team’s performance was described as functional rather than inspiring, as they only limped towards the three points.
The Spanish giants will be up for an uphill task as they host the Gunners at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. They are currently behind by three goals and will have to win by three in Spain to get the tie to extra time. In their last meet up against Arsenal in the Champions League at Bernabeu, Thierry Henry scored the solitary goal as Arsenal won 1-0.