Jude Bellingham fit for Real Madrid’s clash against Granada

By Sports Desk December 01, 2023

Jude Bellingham will be fit for Real Madrid’s home match against Granada on Saturday.

The England midfielder has missed training with an ankle issue after scoring in Wednesday night’s Champions League win over Napoli.

But boss Carlo Ancelotti has declared the former Birmingham youngster fit to line up at the Bernabeu.

“He’s ready to play. He doesn’t have any problems,” Ancelotti said at his pre-match press conference.

“He’s a bit tired and he had a slight discomfort in his ankle. We preferred him not to have contact.”

Bellingham has now scored an incredible 15 goals in just 16 appearances for the LaLiga leaders.

“He’s a spectacular player, fantastic. We’re delighted with him. He’s highly respected because of the work he’s capable of doing,” added Ancelotti.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is also fit after a thigh injury, but Ancelotti confirmed Ukrainian Andriy Lunin will keep his place for now.

“He’s available and I’ll talk to him afterwards,” said the Italian. “He trained for the first time today and has been given the all-clear.

“Tomorrow we’ll go with Lunin and then he’ll have a week to prepare for the Real Betis game.”

Real top the table on goal difference ahead of Girona and lie four points above Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

“The aim is to keep our good run going and to keep displaying quality and collective commitment, which is crucial in this period,” said Ancelotti.

“This is how we have built up this good run and the good results.

“It’s a very tight schedule, especially in this period when the Champions League group stage is being decided and the league table is starting to take shape.

“We have to hang in there and this has been an opportunity for the players who have had less playing time because they’ve been able to show their quality and are contributing significantly to the team.”

Granada are enduring a tough season so far with just one win and seven points from their opening 14 matches.

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