‘Ten times better’ Bellingham hits brace as Real Madrid beat Almeria
New arrival Jude Bellingham struck twice for Real Madrid to help them come from behind to beat Almeria 3-1 in La Liga on Saturday and said he was “ten times better” than last season.
After netting on his debut last weekend, Bellingham again played a key role for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they maintained their 100 per cent start to the season.
Vinicius Junior added the third after being teed up by Bellingham to wrap up Los Blancos’ victory at the Power Horse Stadium on Spain’s east coast, after Sergio Arribas had sent the hosts ahead early on.
Without talisman and Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema, who left the club in the summer, Bellingham has quickly filled the void with three goals in his first two games after his move from the Bundesliga.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Birmingham City star has hit the ground running in Spain, wearing former Madrid great Zinedine Zidane’s number five shirt.
“I’m ten times better than I was last season,” Bellingham told Real Madrid TV.
“I feel really comfortable with these players and I’m learning every day.
“The level here is so high and I’m like a sponge, taking in everything my teammates tell me. That’s why I’ve started the season so well.”
Real Madrid started German duo Toni Kroos and Antonio Rudiger in place of Eduardo Camavinga and the injured Eder Militao.
Andriy Lunin continued in goal despite Kepa Arrizabalaga’s arrival from Chelsea to help cover for Thibaut Courtois, set to miss most of the season.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper might have done better with Arribas’s opener in the third minute, a header from Lucas Robertone’s cross at the end of a break.
Former Madrid player Arribas sprinted forward from deep to lose Fran Garcia and nod past Lunin, following his summer switch.
“Lunin played very well, like in Bilbao,” said Ancelotti.
“We have the same confidence in him as in Kepa, who sooner or later will have to play - it might be in the next game.”
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