In the mixed zone of the Braga Municipal Stadium, between the concrete and stone around which this architectural jewel was built, everyone was waiting for Jude Bellingham. The Englishman scored Real Madrid's second goal against Sporting, his third goal in three days of the Champions League, and was once again one of the white team's best players on the field. However, in the final moments of the match and in the umpteenth physical effort to help his teammates defend, he noticed slight discomfort in his left adductor.. He tried to continue, but a few seconds later he sat on the floor to receive medical attention. On the grass, the doctors' first observation caused the instant change for Lucas Vázquez.

He retired to the bench with a slight limp and with the final whistle he jumped back onto the field to separate the brawl that formed between Rüdiger and a Braga assistant and to applaud the Madrid fans who had traveled to the Portuguese city.

For all these reasons, the British, already the usual center of attention for the press, was the most sought after in the corridors of the facility.. Both Carlo Ancelotti and Vinicius Júnior reassured Madrid fans, but Jude remained to speak. “Bellingham's adductor is a little loaded, but the Classic is not in danger,” the Italian was quick to assure the media.. “The grass was a little soft and has suffered, but it will recover well. You're tired, like everyone else. Today he made an extraordinary defensive effort,” praised Carletto, who in defense placed Bellingham on the left to free Vinicius. “A lot is sacrificed and so Vinicius can be fresher for the transitions. I don't know how many kilometers Vini ran today, it was very dangerous. “I think they work very well together,” he insisted.

In the mixed zone, Vinicius admitted about Bellingham that “I think he's fine”, but “I haven't spoken to him yet”. The Brazilian was heading towards the white team's bus at that moment.. It was 10:50 p.m. in Portugal, 50 minutes after the end of the match. The Madrid players passed through the media corridor one by one, except for two, Kepa and Bellingham himself, who had undergone the anti-doping control.. The Madrid bus decided not to wait for them and left for the Vila Santa Cruz hotel, where they were going to spend the night before leaving this Wednesday for Madrid.

Almost an hour and a half later, more than two hours after the end of the duel, at 00:10, Bellingham and Kepa left the stadium once the test had passed and went by bus to the hotel.. They did it, unfortunately for the media, through a nearby door and not through the mixed zone, as UEFA requires.. Madrid insists that the Briton “is fine” and that he will undergo medical tests on Thursday to confirm his condition ahead of the classic.

The final tangana

One of the first to get on the bus was Rüdiger, quite angry after the brawl at the end of the crash.. According to the club, an assistant from the Braga coaching staff “seriously insulted” the German center back, who had to be restrained by several teammates so that the brawl did not escalate. “A Braga assistant grabbed him and responded. But he's calmer now,” Ancelotti said on the subject.

The words of Mikel Camps, deputy spokesperson for the Barcelona Board of Directors, also reached Braga, writing on social networks that Vinicius “deserves a slap in the face for being a clown and a lazy person.” “What do these unnecessary and meaningless bicycles represent in the center of the field,” he added. The statement was answered by Rodrygo, who described it as “regrettable.” “I can't talk anymore,” he admitted.