In a significant blow to Real Madrid’s Champions League aspirations, midfielder Jude Bellingham has been ruled out of the first leg of the last-16 tie due to suspension. The English international received a yellow card for a late challenge on compatriot Phil Foden during the recent match against Manchester City, leading to his suspension for accumulating bookings.

The incident occurred just before halftime, with Bellingham committing a midfield foul on Foden. Despite the lack of immediate danger, the referee deemed the tackle worthy of a caution, resulting in Bellingham’s suspension for the crucial upcoming fixture.

Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed his frustration with recent officiating decisions, stating, “It’s been three games where we have been harmed by some decisions that we still don’t understand.”

The absence of Bellingham, a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s midfield, poses a significant challenge for the team as they prepare to face either Atlético de Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16. The first leg is scheduled for mid-March at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

In the recent encounter against Manchester City, Real Madrid secured a 3-1 victory, with Kylian Mbappé delivering a standout performance by netting a hat-trick. This result ensured a 6-3 aggregate win, propelling Los Blancos into the next round of the competition.

As the team advances, Ancelotti will need to strategize effectively to compensate for Bellingham’s absence, ensuring that Real Madrid maintains their competitive edge in the pursuit of European glory.