Carlo Ancelotti has come to Jude Bellingham's defense, asserting that the contributions he makes to Real Madrid this season are "more important" than simply finding the back of the net.
Bellingham has yet to score in his nine appearances for Madrid this season, a stark contrast to the 23 goals he netted in all competitions during the previous campaign.
The role of the England midfielder has shifted since Kylian Mbappé joined the team, as he started on the right side of the attack during Madrid's 2-1 victory at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
"We're satisfied with his work, I'm very satisfied," Ancelotti remarked at a press conference on Monday, prior to Madrid's Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. "He works a lot, he's always present, he competes, he fights, he sacrifices himself.
"It's true he hasn't scored the goals he scored last year, but the surprise isn't this year; the surprise was last year when he scored many goals that nobody expected and helped us a lot. The problem this year isn't that we're lacking Bellingham's goals.
"We've always scored goals, and we'll always score because we have talented players up front. For us, at this moment, the work he's doing is more important than the goals he scored last year."
Madrid is set to face Barcelona in LaLiga's El Clásico on Saturday, sitting three points behind the league leaders.
Mbappé found the net against Celta and has accumulated six league goals this season. Ancelotti expressed that he is unfazed by any criticism regarding the French international's off-the-ball work.
"[I ask him] to score goals," Ancelotti stated. "I prefer him to score goals rather than pressing. The center-forward role hasn't changed for us; I ask the same of Mbappé that I asked Karim [Benzema]: to be ready when we win the ball and try to make a fast transition."
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed that the warm welcome given to Gavi gave him goosebumps, as the midfielder made his comeback from an 11-month injury hiatus during Sunday’s 5-1 victory over Sevilla in LaLiga.
Gavi had been sidelined since tearing his ACL while representing Spain last November, but he came off the bench for the last 10 minutes of the match against Sevilla at the Olympic Stadium.
At just 20 years old, he replaced Pedri and took on the captain's armband, receiving an incredible ovation from the Barcelona fans upon his return to the field.
"I am happy for this result and especially for Gavi," Flick remarked during a press conference. "It's really amazing when you see the atmosphere in the stadium and the fans. It was goosebumps, unbelievable, and I like this.
"Any concerns about how Gavi's intense playing style might be affected by his injury were quickly laid to rest as he immediately engaged in challenges upon entering the game.
"The intensity he brought to the match when he came in was good," Flick noted. "But it'snormal; it's his way to play. Sometimes it's okay to be a bit calmer, but that’s not his style.
"Gavi expressed his joy at returning to action, thanking his teammates and fans for their support and stating that his time away from the pitch has helped him appreciate his opportunities even more.
"I have been dreaming about this for many months, and I am grateful to my teammates who made the process easier for me," he told reporters.
"The hardest thing is not playing, watching from the outside. It's frustrating and tough. You have to enjoy every moment, and [time out] allows you to value the things you have. I feel fortunate to be back.
"I missed playing football the most; this is my life, it is what I have always done. When all the fans and your teammates appreciate you and give you that reception, you feel very lucky."
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