Jude Bellingham's Impact in Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal: A Data-Driven Breakdown

Jude Bellingham’s Midfield Masterclass: By the Numbers

As a football analyst with eight years of experience dissecting performances like this, I can confidently say Jude Bellingham’s showing against Al-Hilal was textbook modern midfield play - with a few intriguing wrinkles worth examining.

The Foundation: Basic Performance Metrics

Bellingham played 84 minutes before being substituted, recording:

• 50 touches (slightly below his season average)
• 35 passes with 91% accuracy
• 1 key pass that created a scoring opportunity
• 2 attempted crosses (50% success rate)

What stands out immediately is his economical use of possession. For comparison, Kroos typically averages nearly double the touches in similar matches. This suggests Ancelotti deployed Bellingham in a more advanced, vertical role.

The Battles: Duels and Defensive Work

Ground duels tell an interesting story:

• Engaged in 7 ground duels (won 3)
• 2 successful tackles
• 1 interception
• 2 fouls committed

The numbers paint a picture of a player who isn’t shy about physical battles despite his technical qualities. His duel success rate (42%) could improve, but at 19 he’s already competing physically with seasoned professionals.

Room for Growth

Areas to monitor:

• Lost possession 9 times
• Only 2 dribble attempts (completed 1)

These stats suggest Bellingham might benefit from either more adventurous runs or quicker release passes when under pressure. Still, for a player adjusting to Real Madrid’s system, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise mature performance.

Tactical Takeaways

The data reveals Ancelotti is using Bellingham differently than Dortmund did - less box-to-box dynamism, more strategic positioning as a connector between defense and attack. This match showed promising adaptation to his new role while retaining the physical edge that makes him special.