Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti defends Jude Bellingham over Harry Kane mind games

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham tried and failed to put Harry Kane off the spot-kick (Picture: Getty)

Carlo Ancelotti insists Jude Bellingham has a ‘really good relationship’ with Harry Kane after the midfielder faced some criticism for trying to put his England captain off his penalty in Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich.

Madrid’s Champions League semi-final is finely poised after an absorbing first leg in Munich, in which Vinicius Junior converted a late spot-kick to complete his double on the night and level the tie.

The two European heavyweights will renew their rivalry at the Bernabeu tomorrow evening, with a place against either Paris Saint-Germain or Borussia Dortmund in this year’s final on the line.

Shortly after Leroy Sane had cancelled out Vinicius Junior’s opener, Kane held his nerve from the spot to put the home team in front and take the roof off the Allianz Arena.

In the moments leading up to the 57th-minute strike, Bellingham tried his best to distract Kane and referee Referee Clement Turpin even had to push the Madrid sensation away from his international colleague.

‘In the moment I didn’t know what he said. I spoke to him afterwards and he said he told me, “I know you’re going to go left”, he was trying to tell the ‘keeper,’ Kane explained after the game.

‘On the pitch I didn’t know [what he said]. I knew he was there, but I just kind of didn’t know what he said.

‘I saw the ‘keeper go a bit early and I was able to put it away. Obviously the penalty was nice for me.’

Kane converted from the spot to score his 43rd goal of the campaign (Picture: TNT Sports)

While an unfazed Kane appeared to play down the significance of his compatriot’s mind games, Bellingham was on the receiving end of some criticism as a result of his behaviour – with ex-England striker Sutton accusing the youngster of ‘lacking respect’.

‘I was surprised,’ Sutton said on Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast.

‘Whether you like it or I like it, it doesn’t matter. Did Harry Kane like it? Does Harry Kane like it 24 hours on? I think he would feel there’s a bit of a lack of respect there.

‘I really, really do. They’re off to the Euros together.’

Sutton wasn’t impressed by Bellingham’s behaviour (Picture: Getty)

The former Blackburn and Celtic forward added: ‘There’s a big competition, a big moment,’ he added.

‘You can understand the desperation for Bellingham, for Real Madrid to go through. But I thought it was a strange move.

‘He’s had a brilliant start to his career, exceptional at Dortmund. He’s gone to Madrid but maybe people are viewing him as someone who may be getting a bit above his station when he does stuff like that.’

Ancelotti’s side welcome Bayern to the Bernabeu tomorrow night (Picture: Getty)

However, Madrid manager Ancelotti – speaking on the eve of the semi-final second leg – insisted Bellingham ‘respected’ his opponents and denied the suggestion that there was any bad blood between the midfielder and Kane.

‘Jude is a fantastic guy and he respects everybody,’ Ancelotti told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

‘He has a really good relationship with Harry Kane for the England team.

‘There is no problem between them.’

Bellingham came off with cramp in the first leg (Picture: Getty)

Bellingham was replaced by Luka Modric with 15 minutes remaining of the first leg and Ancelotti later revealed that his top scorer had been struggling with cramp.

The ex-Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund star was subsequently named among the substitutes as Madrid welcomed Cadiz to the Bernabeu in a 3-0 win at the weekend, but found the net just two minutes after being introduced in the second half.

It’s understood Bellingham started on the bench as a precaution on Saturday and the 20-year-old is expected to return to Ancelotti’s starting XI in Madrid tomorrow night.

Ancelotti steered Madrid’s opponents to the Bundesliga title in 2016/17 but was sacked the following season after the side suffered a crushing 3-0 loss to PSG in the Champions League group stage.

‘It’s a long story but I will make it short. When you do your job you have to be supported by the club,’ the Italian explained.

‘When that support fails it’s better to split. That’s what happened at Bayern.

‘I have a good relationship with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and the other directors. But that’s the way it works. When you are not supported it’s time to go.’

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