Real Madrid's Arda Guler, centre right, is congratulated by Jude Bellingham after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Real Madrid at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Ancelotti says Bellingham is ‘fine’ after Real Madrid midfielder substituted with apparent leg issue

GIRONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Jude Bellingham was not injured after his midfielder asked to substituted for what appeared to be a left thigh issue during a 3-0 win at Girona in La Liga on Saturday.

“Bellingham is fine,” Ancelotti said. “He was just a bit tired and preferred not to risk anything in the final minutes.”

That means Bellingham should be available when Madrid visits Atalanta on Tuesday in the Champions League, where it has lost three of five matches.

Bellingham led Madrid’s win after extending his scoring run to five consecutive league games for Madrid. He then set up Arda Guler to double the lead.

The England midfielder asked to leave the match after he went down following contact with a Girona player with half an hour left. He rubbed his inner left thigh while he remained on the turf before walking off when replaced by Dani Ceballos with Madrid winning 2-0.

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring the opening goal†during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Real Madrid at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Kylian Mbappé added a third goal after Bellingham was on the bench.

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham jumps to head the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Real Madrid at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

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