Real Madrid will have a major boost ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener, as midfielders Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni are set to return from injury. The reigning European champions, who are eyeing their 16th title in this prestigious tournament, will face German side Stuttgart on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Jude Bellingham, the talented English midfielder, has been sidelined since August due to a calf injury. The injury forced him to miss four La Liga matches, and his absence was noticeable in Real Madrid’s midfield. However, according to coach Carlo Ancelotti, the 21-year-old is now fully recovered and ready to make an impact.
“Bellingham is good, just as Tchouameni is good, and Militao too for tomorrow, who didn’t train today because he needed one more day of recovery,” Ancelotti said during a pre-match press conference on Monday. This return of two crucial players strengthens Madrid’s lineup as they kick off their campaign to defend their title.
Aurelien Tchouameni, the French midfielder, is another key player returning from injury. Like Bellingham, Tchouameni’s presence in the squad will help stabilize Real Madrid’s midfield and add more strength in both defense and attack.
However, Real Madrid faces some setbacks as well. Defender Eder Militao did not participate in the training session on Monday, but Ancelotti reassured fans that the Brazilian defender would be fit for Tuesday’s match. On the other hand, Brahim Diaz, an important squad member, has been ruled out, adding to the club’s ongoing injury concerns.
Despite these challenges, there is a sense of excitement and confidence in the squad. Ancelotti emphasized the team’s commitment to defending their title, stating, “We’re as excited as always, what this competition brings us, where this club has been such a protagonist for so long, and keeps being one.”
