Carlo Ancelotti could opt to rest Jude Bellingham as Real Madrid face Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14.
Los Blancos are back in Spain following their preseason tour of the USA as they gear up for the opening weeks of the 2024/25 La Liga season.
Bellingham was omitted from the trip to North America, as per a pre-arranged deal with Ancelotti, due to his exertions with England at Euro 2024 and gruelling first season in Madrid.
The club are planning to ease him into the new campaign, with a mix of starting and substitute appearances into September, and that could include a role off the bench in the final in Warsaw.
As per the latest update from Marca, Bellingham was included in the non-starting XI in the final training session before heading to Poland, and that could indicate Ancelotti’s plans.
The Italian has not decided his starting XI, but players with more training under their belt and preseason games are a lower risk, and preserving Bellingham is factored in as a necessity.