Image source, Getty Images. ByElizabeth Conway. Spanish football reporter. 1 hour ago. Real Madrid visit Bayern Munich on Wednesday knowing they must produce something special to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit and keep their Champions League dream alive.. They were second best for long periods at the Bernabeu, with the German champions in control before a late push from the Spanish giants shifted the momentum.. Much of that improvement – and Kylian Mbappe’s goal – followed the introduction of Jude Bellingham in the 62nd minute.. For the remainder of the encounter, the England midfielder drove Los Blancos with his trademark surging runs, and played a central role in their resurgence after going two goals down.. So can Bellingham prove the catalyst to carry Real into a 17th Champions League semi-final and lift Alvaro Arbeloa’s side in La Liga, where they are nine points behind leaders Barcelona with seven games left.. Finding his rhythm after injury frustration. Bellingham has made 32 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions this season with six goals and four assists.. Since recovering from a left hamstring injury sustained in February that sidelined him for 10 games, he has featured four times, only returning to Real’s starting line-up on Friday in the La Liga draw against Girona.. “I feel good,” said Bellingham before the return tie in Munich. “It’s frustrating to be injured.. “I missed the start of the season because of my shoulder, and these last two months have been frustrating.. “The hardest part is coming back from an injury and preparing mentally for matches. The more minutes you play, the better, and that increases your confidence and helps you improve little by little.”. Arbeloa has been pleased with the 22-year-old following his return.. “It was very good for him to regain his rhythm and feel for the game. Understandably, he’s quite tired after being sidelined for so long. We have to be very happy with his performance.”. Bellingham has remained involved in Real’s set-up during his recovery, valued as much for his influence off the pitch as for his contribution on it.. That included travelling to Manchester for their last-16 second-leg tie against Pep Guardiola’s City.. “Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates. I’m very happy to see him getting closer to the team,” added Arbeloa on why Bellingham was part of that squad.. “It’s important for him to be around his team-mates. In the team talk and at half-time, he’ll be one of the leaders, as he always is.”. Bellingham was also included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for March’s international friendlies, although he did not play any minutes.. Tuchel, however, has also stressed the value of his presence in camp, saying: “We have all gained from him being part of it. He was excellent in training.”. Bellingham will also come up against his Three Lions captain and team-mate Harry Kane, who will lead the Bayern attack in Munich and scored the second of his side’s goals in the fir
