Jude Bellingham a ‘shadow’ after Real Madrid are humbled by Barcelona in El Clasico

Jude Bellingham is a “shadow” of the player he was last season and Carlo Ancelotti made a “joke in bad taste” by playing the England midfielder out of position, Spanish media claim after Real Madrid’s 4-0 humbling to Barcelona.

Marca were among leading outlets to turn on the team as Madrid suffered a first La Liga defeat in more than a year. Bellingham was guilty of passing up one of Real’s better opportunities as the European champions were blown away in the second half with two goals from Robert Lewandowski and further strikes from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

The reaction to Bellingham’s performance dramatically contrasted with last season, when he scored the last-gasp winner in the fixture and also scored twice in a 2-1 win at Camp Nou.

As the inquest began on Sunday, Marca claimed Ancelotti was at fault for Bellingham’s form, saying the star player’s work-rate cannot be questioned. However, under the current system, he is effectively operating as a full-back at times, the daily added.

Journalist Juan Ignacio García-Ochoa wrote: “Bellingham is a shadow of the player who burst on to the scene last season at the Bernabéu. And the fault lies not with him, but with the way he is being managed. Every day he plays in a position that is not his and the boy, although he gives his all, does not shine. Playing close to the right flank, playing as a full-back for many minutes, is a joke in bad taste that Ancelotti must correct immediately.

“The fact that a player who last year scored almost 20 goals has not scored any when we are almost in November is something that deserves serious analysis.”

Ancelotti’s team would also rue a Kylian Mbappé strike being ruled out for offside when the match was goalless. “Had Mbappé scored the first chances, maybe the game would have changed,” said Aitor Karanka, former Real Madrid centre-back and Middlesbrough manager on La Liga TV.

In contrast, Yamal, 17, received glowing write-ups. Marca wrote: “He is a chosen one. He showed it at the Euros, he continued to show it at the start of the league and he confirmed it at the Bernabéu. He did not have his best game, but three strokes were enough to silence the Bernabéu.”

Barcelona go top of La Liga

As a result of the win, Barca moved six points clear at the top of La Liga while Real fell one short of matching their rival’s record 43-game unbeaten run. “Let’s go and win La Liga, we go for it now,” said Yamal, 17, after the final whistle.

It caps a remarkable week for Barcelona, who also put four goals past Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. “Viva la Vida!” read the headline on Barça’s official website, in reference to Coldplay’s logo on their shirts as part of their partnership with Spotify.

“A Sky Full of Stars. Paradise. Magic … Barça had Coldplay on their shirts this evening, and so many of their song titles can describe the way Barça fans are feeling right now. A Head Full of Dreams. Viva la Vida!” read their match report.

Real’s previous defeat in La Liga was September 2023 when they were beaten by city rivals Atletico Madrid, but they have since won the title and Champions League.

Real supporters racially abused Yamal

Madrid condemned racist chanting towards Yamal from some sections of the Bernabéu support and vowed to take action.

Footage circulated on social media appeared to show racist abuse directed towards Yamal while he prepared to take a corner, and after scoring.

Real said in a statement: “Real Madrid strongly condemns any kind of behaviour involving racism, xenophobia or violence in football and sport, and deeply regrets the insults that a few fans uttered last night in one of the corners of the stadium.

“Real Madrid has opened an investigation in order to locate and identify the perpetrators of these deplorable and despicable insults so that appropriate disciplinary and judicial action can be taken.”

La Liga said: “La Liga condemns and will denounce the racist insults that took place in El Clásico. In view of the events that took place during the course of the Real Madrid CF – FC Barcelona match, during which intolerable racist behaviour was observed, La Liga have immediately referred the incident to the Hate Section of the Information Brigade of the National Police and have informed the National Police.

“We will inform the Coordinating Prosecutor of the Hate Crimes and Racist Offences Unit of the Hate Crimes and Discrimination Unit of the State Attorney General’s Office.

“La Liga strongly condemns these events that took place at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and remains firm in its commitment to eradicate any kind of racist behaviour and hatred inside and outside the stadium. There is no place in sport for this scourge.”