Ancelotti: 'Bellingham has learned what to do with referees'

Spain coach Ancelotti praised Bellingham for his behavior with the referee to avoid a penalty card in Real's 2-0 win over Bilbao on the evening of March 31.

Bellingham has received one red card and nine yellow cards this season. The English attacking midfielder is one of two Real players to have received the most yellow cards, along with Eduardo Camavinga, who has received 10 yellow cards. However, Bellingham avoided punishment in the 2-0 win over Bilbao in round 30 of La Liga.

Asked what Bellingham thinks about Spanish referees, coach Carlo Ancelotti replied: "I don't know what he thinks, but he has learned very well what to do with referees, which is to keep quiet."

Bellingham (number 5) reacts during Real's 2-0 win over Bilbao in round 30 of La Liga on the evening of March 31 at Bernabeu Stadium. Photo: MD

Regarding Bellingham's poor form in the match on the evening of March 31, Ancelotti admitted that the 20-year-old student was not as fresh as usual. He said that Bellingham was being affected by having just played two friendly matches for England in the recent international series.

Rodrygo scored both goals against Bilbao, curling in from outside the box in the eighth minute and then into the near post in the 73rd. The 23-year-old took his tally in all competitions this season to 15 goals, behind only Bellingham’s 20 and Vinicius’s 18. Ancelotti admitted Rodrygo has been inconsistent, but said the problem will be solved with time.

"With experience, Rodrygo will improve this aspect," Ancelotti added. "He is young and I am asking him to work more to play better."

Real are top of La Liga, with 75 points after 30 games. They are eight points ahead of second-placed Barca and 10 points ahead of third-placed Girona. Ancelotti's team only need to win six of their remaining eight games to secure the title.

Ancelotti admits Real are in the lead, but has told his players to stay focused. He wants to win every game until they win La Liga.

Real Madrid will not play in the middle and the end of this week. They will rest until they meet Man City in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on April 9. Meanwhile, after the 0-0 draw with Arsenal on the evening of March 31, Man City will have to play two more Premier League matches against Aston Villa on April 3 and Crystal Palace on April 6. Man City coach Pep Guardiola has complained about the unfavorable schedule compared to Real.

"I understand that," Ancelotti said of Guardiola's attitude. "They have a more complicated schedule, but that's modern football. Obviously we have a small advantage, but it won't affect the game."

Last season, Man City beat Real 5-1 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-finals. But the season before that, also in the semi-finals, Real won 6-5 on aggregate.

This season, Real only focuses on La Liga and the Champions League. They stopped at the King's Cup in the round of 16 when they lost 2-4 to Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Man City is still pursuing the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, the three titles they won last season.

Thanh Quy (according to Marca )

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