‘Hey Jude’
Bellingham blows new roof off Madrid stadium with late derby winner
JUDE BELLINGHAM rescued Real Madrid with a 95th minute strike to secure a 2-1 win over Getafe on Saturday and maintain Los Blancos’ perfect start in the La Liga, as they played with a closed roof at the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time.
The England international netted his fifth goal in four games to snatch three points from the derby clash. It was Madrid’s first game without injured forward Vinicius Junior.
Joselu had pulled Carlo Ancelotti’s side level after former Madrid striker Borja Mayoral sent the visitors ahead in the first match under a roof at Madrid’s remodelled stadium.
“I think we were just winners, we did well in attack and made a lot of chances,” said Joselu.
“Getafe make it difficult for you but the Bernabeu pushed us on – these fans are incredible and Madrid never give up.”
Joselu netted his first Madrid goal from close range when Getafe could not clear Modric’s teasing cross with the outside of his boot.
The Spain international started in place of Vinicius, who suffered a hamstring injury last week and is set to miss over a month.
“It’s a shame to go behind on the scoreboard but the team worked and we came out with the mentality that we would turn it around,” added Joselu.
Getafe did not include on loan Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood in their squad, after his arrival
on Friday.
Bellingham said his legs were left “shaking” as Real Madrid fans serenaded him with The Beatles song ‘Hey Jude’ on Saturday.
“It’s the loudest moment I’ve heard in a stadium, happily it was for my goal,”
Bellingham told Real Madrid TV.
“When they were singing ‘Hey Jude’ at the end, I got goosebumps.
“I just wanted to stand still and listen to them. My legs were shaking.
“I know I was brought in for these kind of moments, they’re the kind of moments I know I can deliver for this team.”
Madrid spent over €100 million (RM502m) in the summer to sign Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. “He’s out of the ordinary,” said Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz after the game.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised Bellingham for his strong start to life in the Spanish capital.
“His quality isn’t surprising anybody, but the number of goals he’s got is surprising,” said Ancelotti, who deploys Bellingham behind the forwards in a No. 10 role.
“He’s very professional, and he has a lot of examples for professionalism in this squad. He is learning very quickly.”
Bellingham joins a small group of players to have netted in each of their first four Liga matches, including Madrid’s all-time record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
The midfielder has scored five of Madrid’s eight La Liga goals this season, helping to fill the void left by Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema’s departure. – AFP