Why did Carlo Ancelotti shift Real Madrid’s final training session behind closed doors at Santiago Bernabeu?

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rubbished claims that he had changed his schedule for talking to the media so that he could hold his final training session behind closed doors at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after his team’s 1-1 draw against Mallorca.

“It’s nothing special, I’m doing it just to test the pitch, because it has changed compared to last year. I want the players to try the new pitch to see how they feel there. There is nothing superstitious or anything else behind it,” Ancelotti said.

“It was a pretty clear game to evaluate, we lacked balance, it’s not very complicated. There is a clear solution. With such an attacking team, the forwards have to work a bit harder. We have tried to fix it with a lot of work this week,” he added.

Jude Bellingham injured, set to miss key games for club and country

Meanwhile, the defending champions suffered an early setback when midfielder Jude Bellingham sustained a muscle injury during training and is set to miss key games for club and country.

The 21-year-old England international, who was a key player last season when Real won the Champions League and Laliga titles, will be sidelined for several weeks, according to club sources.

“Following tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the plantaris muscle in his right leg. Pending evolution,” Real said in a statement.

He will miss Sunday’s LaLiga clash against Real Valladolid and England’s Nations League matches next month against Ireland and Finland.

(With agency inputs)

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