At first, Jude Bellingham’s absence may seem like a significant blow to Real Madrid. After all, the midfielder has been one of the team’s most influential figures this season.

However, a closer look at the statistics offers a surprisingly different view. Despite missing only six out of Real Madrid’s 40 games across all competitions, the team has performed exceptionally well in his absence.

Their record in these matches stands at five wins and just one draw, showing that the squad has managed to cope effectively without him.

Matches Bellingham missed

In mid-August, Bellingham suffered a foot injury during training, which kept him out for almost a month. As a result, he missed four matches, but Real Madrid maintained their strong form.

They secured convincing wins over Valladolid, Real Sociedad, and Real Betis, with the only setback being a draw against Las Palmas.

After recovering, Bellingham played 25 consecutive matches, consistently starting in each one. He was ever-present until January, when Ancelotti opted to rest him for the Copa del Rey clash with Deportiva Minera.

The decision was precautionary due to the congested fixture schedule. Soon after, Bellingham experienced a minor issue when he took a knock to the back of his left thigh during a match against Girona.

Although he was substituted as a precaution, he missed the Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Leganes.

Despite a difficult performance in that match, Madrid secured their spot in the semi-finals after an intense extra-time victory.

Better without Bellingham?

Interestingly, Real Madrid’s attacking efficiency seems to improve in Bellingham’s absence. The team averages 2.4 goals per match with him on the field, while that number rises to 2.7 without him.

This suggests that while Bellingham’s presence adds undeniable quality, his absence does not necessarily affect Madrid’s attacking power. Instead, it pushes other players to contribute more to the team’s offensive play.

Although Bellingham remains a key figure in Ancelotti’s setup, Real Madrid have demonstrated that they are not fully reliant on him.