Jude Bellingham has called for improvement from Real Madrid ahead of their huge midweek Champions League clash against Arsenal.
Madrid’s hopes of defending their LaLiga crown were dealt a blow on Saturday with a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia.
Valencia shocked the Bernabeu with a late winner against MadridGetty Los Blancos are now four points adrift of the LaLiga summitGettyMouctar Diakhaby netted first for the visitors before Vinicius Jr found an equaliser, only for Hugo Duro to win the match in stoppage-time.
Madrid are four points behind Barcelona, who drew 1-1 to Real Betis, and now look towards a trip to London on Tuesday night.
Arsenal host them in their quarter-final first leg, with Bellingham demanding more from his side when they visit the Emirates Stadium.
Taking to his Instagram story after the weekend defeat, he said: “Nowhere near good enough from us. Must change for Tuesday!”
Despite the recent setback, Madrid will remain the favourites to beat Arsenal across both legs to reach a fifth consecutive semi-final.
The Gunners will be without key defender Gabriel after he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
Arsenal were hopeful of Madrid missing a star quartet due to a UEFA investigation into ‘indecent conduct’ after they beat Atletico Madrid.
But Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Ceballos will all be available after avoiding immediate bans for their behaviour.
Tuesday’s match will be just the third time the two sides have met, with their first clashes coming in the 2006 Champions League last 16.
Arsenal won 1-0 on aggregate and eventually reached the final but lost 2-1 to Barcelona.
Bellingham had a message for himself and Madrid ahead of their next match@judebellingham Instagram Arsenal await them in the Champions League quarter-finalsGettySince then, Madrid have lifted the Champions League six times to extend their overall tally to a record 15.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa in the semi-finals should they beat Arsenal.
Bellingham was crucial to their success last season and will likely be so again this time round as they search title no.16.
The 21-year-old has reached 13 goals and 13 assists for Madrid so far in 41 appearances during the current campaign.
His latest contribution was an assist for Vinicius Jr against Valencia that came days after he netted in a thrilling Copa del Rey semi-final.
Madrid drew 4-4 in their second leg against Real Sociedad to win 5-4 on aggregate after extra-time, setting up a final against Barcelona.
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