Jude Bellingham has apologised to the Real Madrid fans after his side were dumped out of the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal. Goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli completed victories in both legs for the Gunners as they romped to a 5-1 aggregate win.
Declan Rice’s pair of free-kicks at the Emirates Stadium last week had helped Arsenal to a commanding 3-0 lead heading to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. With a significant advantage, Mikel Arteta’s men were in no mood to offer any chance of a turnaround.
Instead, Arsenal will play in the last four of the competition for the first time since they reached the final in 2006. Madrid, on the other hand, have now failed to reach the semi-finals after getting there in all of the previous five years.
As a huge figure for Madrid and also England, Bellingham was one of the players to watch during the two matches. He failed to be the difference maker, though, with Rice instead taking the plaudits for his impact.
Taking to social media on Thursday after the match, Bellingham wrote: “Simply didn’t live up to the expectations of this club in either of the games. Sorry Madridistas, we understand how much these nights and this competition means to you. There’s still opportunities to save this season but it’s only possible by staying together. Real Madrid will be back!”
Real are just about in the La Liga title race but are four points behind Barcelona, who are in better form. The two Spanish giants will also meet in the Copa del Rey final as well.
For Madrid, the defeat at the hands of Arsenal raises questions over the role of Kylian Mbappe since his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain. There is also uncertainty over Carlo Ancelotti’s future with consistent speculation over a potential exit for the former Chelsea, PSG, Milan, Everton, and Bayern Munich manager.
It is now PSG up next for Arsenal. They will host the first leg later this month before travelling to France a week later. For Arteta, he is looking forward to the challenge.
“We are really happy tonight,” he said in his post-match press conference. “Since I’m not satisfied, we have an amazing tie now against PSG. A team that we know really well and we have already played against. So, it’s time to get prepared for that one.”
As for what he thought of Rice, who managed to keep Bellingham quiet in both games as well as asserting his own influence all over the tie? “Obviously, he’s been decisive,” Arteta said.
“Today, in a different way, I think it was immense. His presence, the power that he showed, how composed he was. Without the ball, I think he led the team in many moments and turned the game in our favour.
“And I think that’s why you need players at this level to step up and have a big contribution. And he certainly has done that.”
Bellingham, meanwhile, will be left to lick his wounds after winning the Champions League with Madrid in his first season last year.
