The England international watched the entire fixture from the bench as Real Madrid faced Las Palmas on the seventh matchday of LaLiga 2023-24. He did not step onto the pitch at any moment, remaining a spectator for the duration of the game.
Jude Bellingham represented the most notable absence for Real Madrid in the clash with the Canary Islands club. Across seven rounds of the season, the Whites leaned on him as a central figure, including his contributions in the Champions League opener against Union Berlin. Yet in this encounter, he stayed seated and off the field, a decision that drew attention from fans and pundits alike who had come to expect his influence in this early stretch of the campaign.
The match up offered a glimpse into the team’s evolving approach to squad management. Bellingham has emerged as one of LaLiga’s most dangerous attacking talents, ranking among the league’s top scorers with five goals in as many appearances. His record mirrors the tallies of Álvaro Morata and Robert Lewandowski at this stage, underscoring the consistency that Madrid had hoped to rely on. He found the net in crucial moments this season, including the decisive goal against Union Berlin, which underscored his importance in Madrid’s offensive plan.
Despite the early season success, Carlo Ancelotti elected to keep the Englishman on the bench for the Las Palmas match, awarding Brahim Díaz a start in attack. Although Díaz did not manage to find the back of the net in the second half, the decision was framed around careful minutes management. The rationale centered on preserving Bellingham’s energy and extending his availability across a demanding schedule, with the hope of maintaining his high-intensity contributions in upcoming fixtures.
Looking ahead, the coaching staff anticipates that Bellingham will reclaim his starting role in the next league game, which sees Real Madrid traveling to Montilivi to meet the league leaders, Girona. This scheduling context adds a layer of strategic planning, balancing short-term results with the long view of the season’s rhythm and the demands of European competition.
Ancelotti himself addressed the substitution choices after the 2-0 victory over Las Palmas, offering insight into the decision-making process. He explained that Bellingham expressed fatigue, and the plan was to avoid potential issues that could cloud his form and availability moving forward. The coach’s remarks highlighted a pragmatic approach to player welfare, an ongoing theme during a season packed with travel, training, and high-stakes matches. This transparency helps fans understand why a seemingly indispensable player might temporarily step back from the starting lineup.
As Real Madrid continues the campaign, Bellingham’s role remains central to the team’s ambitions. His ability to influence matches, whether by scoring, creating chances, or pressing opponents, makes his fitness and freshness a priority for the coaching staff. The balance between rotation and reliability will shape Madrid’s outcomes as the season progresses, particularly as European competition intensifies and the domestic schedule remains relentless.
Fans and analysts will be watching to see how Madrid harnesses the squad depth that has allowed them to navigate a congested calendar. The team’s early momentum has set a high standard, and the ability to sustain performance through rotation could prove crucial in the fight for both LaLiga and continental glory. The coming weeks promise to reveal more about the effectiveness of Madrid’s rotation policy under Ancelotti, as the club aims to maintain its competitive edge and keep a peak roster ready for every challenge. [Goal]