Real Madrid s Jude Bellingham aiming for Man City redemption

MADRID – Jude Bellingham edged Real Madrid 3-2 ahead in their Champions League play-off against Manchester City last week with his stoppage-time winner, but his week then swiftly took a turn for the worse.

The England international was sent off in the first half as Los Blancos dropped two points in the Spanish La Liga title race at Osasuna over the weekend.

The midfielder will at least be fresh for the second-leg clash with City at the Santiago Bernabeu on Feb 19, with Real holding a slim lead in the tie after their victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Bellingham felt that he had let his side down with his dismissal for dissent, despite that insisting the referee misunderstood him, and he apologised to his teammates.

All will be forgiven if he helps pull Real past Pep Guardiola’s City again and into the last 16.

“Enough said about the misunderstanding, just wanted to apologise again for leaving my teammates in such a tough position and thank the fans for their support and understanding,” wrote Bellingham on social media.

“We will see each other on Wednesday, (playing) at home.”

It was his second red card for arguing with referees since arriving in Spain from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.

Despite his occasional frustration with officials, the 21-year-old has mostly been able to enjoy himself and more crucially, his football in Spain.

His goals were crucial as Real won La Liga last season, and he helped his side claim their record-extending 15th Champions League trophy at Wembley, against his former side Dortmund.

Bellingham was previously linked with City, but on arrival in Madrid said that once the Spanish giants came in for him he got “goosebumps” and that his heart nearly stopped.

“I’d always been aware of the interest from England so that was