There are bad, average and good debut matches. And there is Jude Bellingham’s debut with Real Madrid. So good that the coach of the biggest club in the world says after the match that his team must first get used to Bellingham’s quality. It is clear what impression the 20-year-old Englishman left in the 3-2 victory in the friendly match with AC Milan.Bellingham’s performance is one of the two topics that the Madrid media are dealing with today, the other being, despite the fact that Fede Valverde was a double scorer, the new style of play of the Royal Club. After the departure of Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia, Los Blancos were left without a ‘beast’ in the position of the classic nine, and since Joselu, Benzema’s successor, is simply not of that caliber, Carlo Ancelotti had to improvise.He couldn’t rely on Joselu alone upfront, so against Milan we saw Real in a 4-4-2 diamond formation, and according to Carletto, we will see them in a 4-3-3 system, but with Rodrygo as the most attacking player.##NAJAVA_MECA_7388830##So, what are the impressions of the “diamond” formation?”I liked it. There are things that we need to modify a little. We had a hard time starting actions from the backline. We tried to go through the center more, instead of on the flanks… We didn’t always press properly either, but I liked it.”Bellingham played forward, behind Joselu and Rodrygo, as a classic “ten,” somewhat forgotten in modern football.”He played a good game. The team has to get used to his quality. We have to enjoy his arrival… He is a fantastic player, very important. Complete midfielder, plays with great intensity, moves very well without the ball. He is different from the other midfielders we have. The way he finds holes in the opponent’s game is his exceptional quality”.##EDITORS_CHOICE##The Englishman is also versatile and can cover multiple positions. And which one is ideal for him?”When we play like today it will be ‘ten’. When we play 4-3-3, he will play in a midfield on the right side. For him, “ten” is the best, because then he is close to the penalty area. It will depend on the system. We have to be patient and see how the season will unfold”.Next question: is there an option for him to play as a false nine in a 4-3-3 system?”When we play 4-3-3, the most advanced attacker must be Rodrygo, and on the flanks we have Valverde, Guler… We have options. We also have the option to play with a striker and a midfielder behind him, in that case the best option is Bellingham – Rodrygo. It is rare to find a player of such quality. It’s even strange to find a 20-year-old of such caliber. He can still improve. We are happy to have him with us. But we also have other fantastic young players and that gives me confidence”.🗣️ “The 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 position for him [Jude Bellingham] is number ten.”Carlo Ancelotti reveals where he plans to deploy new summer signing Jude Bellingham in Real Madrid’s midfield this season. 🏴🔟 pic.twitter.com/4ezdPxI9sn— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 24, 2023 Finally, about that pressing…”We have to try to press a little more. With the diamond in the middle, we have strong pressing in the center of the field, but less on the flanks. We have to move better and press on the side as well. Defensively, this is not the best system, but we have to adapt to the characteristics of the players”, concluded Ancelotti.
