Real Madrid advanced to the final of the 2024/25 Copa Del Rey after a tense second leg, which ended in a 4-4 draw, but Los Blancos had a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
As compared to the last game, Carlo Ancelotti fielded a much stronger starting lineup with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Fede Valverde, and Tchouameni returning to the lineup.
One of the players who has been a constant and made yet another start was Jude Bellingham. After weaving his magic against Leganes in the league, fans hoped that he could replicate or put in an even better performance against Real Sociedad.
With 18-year-old Endrick making a start, Jude must have been aware he would have to work harder since the Brazilian is more of a raw talent as compared to Kylian Mbappe, who is a generational talent.
During the game, he showcased his ability to remain calm and composed on the ball and get out of instances when he is being aggressively pressed by the Sociedad players.
After the visiting side had staged a comeback and led on aggregate by the 80th minute, it took Jude Bellingham just a couple more minutes to equalize for the men in white.
According to Sofascore statistics, other than the goal, he also had 4 key passes and 3 shots on target in a performance which earned him a rating of 8.7 – highest of the match. The Englishman won 9/12 ground duels and 6/8 aerial duels which further showcases his all-round ability. He also made 3 defensive actions, which was less in a game where the Real Madrid team was entirely all over the place defensively.
Last season, he had 23 goals and 13 assists in 43 matches, and this season already he has 13 goals and 11 assists in 40 matches. It’s just mind-boggling to think that a player who was more of a defensive/box-to-box midfielder for Dortmund, now has 60 G/A as a Madrid player in 83 games.
Playing 300+ matches (for club and country) as a footballer at the age of just 21, shows the talent he possesses and the immense ability he already has for someone who has not even reached his prime as a player yet.
His importance as a player just continues to grow, and this past month has shown precisely that. He played around 160 out of 180 possible minutes during the international break and has made two consecutive starts for the Merengues – with good returns.
Understandably so after the match last night, Bellingham made it clear how badly he waited for a day off and would finally get that.
With a close race to the La Liga title, Champions League knockouts, and now the CDR final coming up, it will be interesting to see whether Ancelotti chooses to rest Bellingham in some games or play him for the most part.
