MARCA attacks Bellingham after the draw with City and praises another player: “The spirit of Real Madrid who hits his teammates when they score.”
Manchester City achieved an exciting draw with Real Madrid 3-3 in the match that was held between them yesterday, Tuesday, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
In its analysis of the course of the match, the Spanish newspaper Marca directed harsh criticism at Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham, saying: “Another gray match for Bellingham in the decisive stage of the season. Did he play badly? No, but he was not the star Real Madrid needed to win the Champions League.”
She added: “Either Bellingham will regain its level in the return match, or the “Remontada” at Etihad Stadium seems almost impossible. He tried against City, but he lacked energy and spark.”
But the same newspaper praised another player, German defender Antonio Rudiger: “Rudiger controlled Haaland. Like last year, he was able to stop it again. “Rudiger did not cost a single euro and is one of the best deals Real Madrid has concluded in recent years.”
She continued: “Rudiger is not just a defender, he is the soul of the team, the one who celebrates cutting the ball as well as the goal, the first one to defend his teammates in a fight, the one who hits them when they score, the one who cheers more than Bellingham. He is the team leader.”
Real Madrid is expected to be a guest of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday to engage in another battle in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals .
