Bellingham breaks silence on bust-up with teammate before Arsenal clash

JUDE BELLINGHAM has broken his silence following a training ground bust-up with Antonio Rudiger.

The two Real Madrid stars had to be separated during a tense session ahead of tomorrow's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal.

Reports in Spain claim a rash tackle on the England midfielder by the German centre-back sparked the incident.

But Bellingham has played down the altercation in his post-match press conference today, saying: "It's football, it's normal on the pitch that emotions get high.

"You communicate with team-mates louder than you'd communicate with your mum and dad.

"For every negative interaction you see, there's 20 positive interactions.

"That will get lost in the media which is fine, as long as the team respects each other to have those honest conversations."

Arsenal head to the Santiago Bernabeu with a 3-0 lead after an incredible first leg that saw Declan Rice score two free-kicks.

Bellingham insists an improved Real Madrid will be on show this time, saying: "There wasn't one aspect of our game in the first leg that was up to the standard we expect of ourselves.

"We know we can play a lot better and that's what we want to show tomorrow. It's one thing to lose, but it's another thing not to learn.

"I think there's an expectation of Real Madrid that when we get in these holes we can come back.

"In England it's not as common but it does happen. The club have done it so many times, so the expectations are huge."

And Bellingham's boss Carlo Ancelotti believes that the Gunners are far from in the semi-final yet, adding: "We have the quality to turn this tie around, along with the commitment, the experience and the fans.

"The resources are there and now it's time to bring our best.

"Mentally we're doing very well and we have to have good control of the game.

"The Santiago Bernabeu has magic and everyone knows it's a special atmosphere.

"Tomorrow we need a bit of everything - quality and a complete performance, both physically and collectively. Not one of these things can go wrong.

"The motivation is there, and now I want the player to be calm before the game. I'm clear that we're going to give it our all."