FC Bayern Munich against Real Madrid also means: Jamal Musiala against Jude Bellingham. The two have known each other since childhood and are good friends. Will the second leg of the Champions League semi-final now be a test of strength between the shooting stars?
They have known each other since childhood, were friends since they were little, and shared a room when they played together for the England U15 national team. Jamal Musiala from FC Bayern Munich and Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid have a long friendship, shared milestones and most recently joint appearances on the big stage: in the premier class.
Musiala and Bellingham met in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in Munich. There was talk of the duel between the youngsters and the showdown between the shooting stars. The comparison is obvious – even apart from the personal connection: both are very young – born in 2003 -, both are key players in their clubs, both are considered absolute starters and both are known beyond the football community.
Musiala scored a penalty
Before the first leg in Munich, Bayern playmaker Musiala said of the reunion with Bellingham: “Jude and I have always dreamed of playing games like this since we were children. I’m really looking forward to these two games.”
Musiala, who joined the Munich professional team at the age of 17, is considered a key player with his dribbling and assists, his dynamism and his goals on the offensive, who can make the difference in “every game,” as coach Thomas Tuchel once said.
Bellingham kept a low profile
Although Musiala plays an important role in the team for his age, Bellingham is probably one step ahead of him. The England international was already a leader at Borussia Dortmund. And in Madrid he has become a regular player in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s large star ensemble. Tuchel also found words of praise for Bellingham before the first leg: Bellingham is a “big personality” and plays “in the ten, nine, eight and six positions in personal union,” said Tuchel. “He’s a key player” – just like Musiala at Bayern.
There was still no obvious showdown in the first leg. The two didn’t offer enough for that. Musiala went into the game injured. The 21-year-old has been suffering from painful tendon irritation in his knee for weeks. But at least the Munich team has him to thank for the penalty. 67th minute: When Musiala tried to dribble against Lucas Vázquez in the penalty area, the Spaniard put his leg out and Harry Kane, the English penalty hero, made it 2-1.
Musiala and Bellingham are in poor health
And Jude Bellingham also fell short of expectations. Even his coach Carlo Ancelotti said after the game that the 20-year-old had not delivered his best performance. And Bellingham didn’t go into the game in top shape either.
Shortly before the first leg he had a stomach flu and during the game he battled cramps and exhaustion, Ancelotti revealed. It’s not the first time that trouble like this has plagued Bellingham on the field. In the first leg, Ancelotti took him off after 75 minutes. But the Madrid coach is sure that Bellingham will deliver in the second leg: “He will be back, for sure, on Wednesday he will give 100 percent.”
Bayern’s last chance for the title
It’s not like them that both Musiala and Bellingham remained inconspicuous. The pair’s youth coach, Kevin Betsy, once revealed: “They turned everything into a competition.” And both “hated losing.” That’s still the case. The promising Musiala-Bellingham duel, which did not reach its climax in the first round of the Champions League semi-finals, will go into the next round in the second leg on Wednesday at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.
While Musiala can “only” win the premier class with Bayern, the double is possible for Bellingham – in his first season in Madrid after moving from Borussia Dortmund to the Royals.
“I’m happy that things are going so well for him. He is very self-confident and doesn’t shy away from big challenges,” said Musiala about his “good friend”.
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Source: BR24Sport May 9, 2024 – 6:30 p.m