Bayern clash to define Real's season, says Bellingham
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said Wednesday's match at Bayern Munich would define his side's season. (Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND) Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said Wednesday's second Champions League quarter-final leg at Bayern Munich would define his club's season amid a stuttering domestic campaign. Trophy-less last season, Real are staring down another year without silverware, with the Champions League perhaps their best chance this year.
Bayern hold a 2-1 lead after winning in Madrid and need to avoid defeat to reach the final four. Speaking in Munich on Tuesday, Bellingham said Real's season would be effectively over if they fail to progress on Wednesday. "Considering what's happened in the league, in the cups, it's almost a final for us tomorrow," the England midfielder said.
"Given the situation we're in, we want to be still playing for something, rather than having games pass us by. " Real are nine points behind arch rivals Barcelona in La Liga with nine games to play, having lost the Spanish Super Cup final to the same opponents. Real also crashed out of the Copa del Rey against second-flight Albacete at the last-16 stage.
"Any loss in the Champions League feels like a disaster and like I said, given the situation we're in, we understand tomorrow is a final," said Bellingham. "It feels as if everything's riding on this game. We have to see it like that.
It's an all or nothing game. "We'd like to believe that we'd have more chances if it doesnt go well tomorrow, but thats not how football is. "We've dropped too many points in the league.