Carlo Ancelotti confirms Ferland Mendy will not be available when Real Madrid face Atalanta in the Champions League, but assures Jude Bellingham was ‘just tired.’
The teams go head-to-head in a huge match at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT.
In an unexpected turn of events, Real Madrid find themselves down in 24th place in the table, whereas Atalanta are in fifth and on the verge of securing their place in the Round of 16.
Ancelotti’s job had been considered at risk, though he managed to steer them to a 3-0 victory this evening away to Girona.
Ancelotti back on track with Real Madrid
Bellingham put in a splendid performance and scored for the fifth game on the bounce, but there were worried faces when he limped off in the latter stages.
“Bellingham is fine, he was just a bit tired and we preferred not to take any risks in the final minutes,” assured Ancelotti in a press conference.
“However, Mendy seems to have a muscular issue and needs to be evaluated. I can say he will not be available in Bergamo.”
Rodrygo is also in doubt and remained at the Valdebebas training ground to work on his fitness, but Ancelotti insists he should be making the trip to Italy.
This victory puts Real Madrid back in the slipstream of LaLiga leaders Barcelona and they also have a game in hand.
“We are gradually getting back, we’ve just got to keep this going now,” concluded the Italian coach.
Atalanta have won their last nine consecutive Serie A matches, beating Milan 2-1 on Friday.
