The Englishman will not start on the fourth matchday of the Champions League group stage.
Real Madrid welcomes SC Braga to the Santiago Bernabéu, a key fixture on the fourth day of Group C in the 2023/24 Champions League. The match unfolds without their star man, the English international Jude Bellingham, who remains on the bench for this encounter.
Highlights and quick takeaways from Real Madrid vs Braga in the 2023-2024 Champions League
Why is Jude Bellingham sidelined for Real Madrid against Braga in the 2023/24 Champions League?
With several wins already secured in this season’s European campaign, Real Madrid sits comfortably atop Group C and is close to clinching a round of 16 berth. A draw would be enough to seal advancement, so the coaches chose caution with their leading attacker. Bellingham recently suffered a minor shoulder dislocation in a league match against Rayo Vallecano and is being managed carefully to avoid a longer layoff.
Although he completed most of Tuesday’s team session with the squad, the English forward showed some discomfort during drills and stepped away from full training. In light of this, coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to err on the side of prudence and left Bellingham on the bench for the game.
The starting XI was confirmed as follows: Kepa, Lucas, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Kroos, Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo, and Vinícius. Bellingham was listed among the substitutes, resting as a strategic precaution.
In this context, Real Madrid’s approach emphasizes keeping energy for the essential fixtures ahead while maintaining competitiveness on the night. Braga will look to press high and challenge the home side, but the absence of the suspended or rested Bellingham might open space for other midfield and attacking players to step up and contribute to the club’s qualification push.
Analysts note the team’s maturity in handling fixture congestion and the squad’s depth, which allows them to rotate without sacrificing performance. This alignment reflects a broader strategy of prioritizing squad health and peak readiness for critical phases of the competition, especially for clubs with deep European campaigns. The result could hinge on how well Real Madrid translates potential into chances and how Braga leverages any tactical mismatches on the night.
As for fans and bettors in Canada and the United States, the narrative remains clear: Real Madrid is pursuing a strong position in Group C while safeguarding its most valuable asset. The decision to rest Bellingham illustrates a measured approach to player management that prioritizes long-term success over short-term risk. The match will be remembered for the tactical decisions around rotation as much as for the on-pitch action that unfolds at this stage of the tournament.
Reference: Goal