Van Nistelrooy: “Madrid is going to behave differently at the Bernabeu than they did in Munich”

In an exclusive interview with AS, former Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy provided valuable insights into the upcoming Champions League semi-final clash between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The Dutch football legend, who graced the Santiago Bernabéu turf during his illustrious career, delved into various aspects of the game, including tactical approaches, player performances, and potential transfers.

Reflecting on the first leg in Munich, van Nistelrooy remarked, “I think the result in the first leg in Munich was fair for what we saw on the field. Bayern had more of the ball, but Madrid showed a lot of defensive order to go on the counterattack and have great efficiency in attack, and in some phases of the match they also dominated Bayern. Vinicius’ two goals were not the result of chance.”

Regarding Madrid’s tactical adaptability, van Nistelrooy highlighted, “You have to keep in mind that teams like Bayern and City are going to push you to get behind, and even more so in their stadium. You can have the intention of dominating, as Madrid always tries, but many times you can’t and that is what happened in some phases against Bayern and, above all, against City.”

Van Nistelrooy expressed confidence in Madrid’s ability to capitalize on home advantage, stating, “The thing is that the game at the Bernabéu is going to be a completely different story. Madrid is going to behave differently, as always when it plays in its stadium, it is going to be the one that dominates the most, like Bayern did in the first leg.”

Asserting Madrid’s status as favorites, van Nistelrooy emphasized, “Of course Real Madrid are still the favorites. Not only because the result of the first leg is very good, in a stadium as complicated as the Allianz, but also because the quality of the Madrid players and how they function as a team must be added to the drive and what the Bernabéu intimidates.”

On young talents like Jude Bellingham, van Nistelrooy offered praise, stating, “I don’t think Jude Bellingham’s form has gone down. In fact, against Cádiz he scored again as soon as he took the field and he already has 18 goals. In what sense does he perform less? You have to put things in perspective. That Jude has so many goals is an extra, a bonus. He is a splendid all-rounder, who arrives phenomenally on the second line, he runs, he defends, he has vision of the game, he makes quick transitions... We cannot demand that he be a scorer and, nevertheless, he is one. His season is spectacular and must be valued in the right way for him. It doesn’t matter that Ancelotti has changed his role, he performs wherever he is put, because he is an exceptional player.”

Addressing transfer speculation, van Nistelrooy commented on Kylian Mbappé, suggesting, “Mbappe in Madrid? This year yes. Kylian is a very intelligent player and boy and I am sure that he thinks that to improve in his career, because he is still very young, and win the Ballon d’Or he should play for Madrid.”

Van Nistelrooy also discussed the potential attacking prowess of a Mbappé-Vinicius-Bellingham trident, stating, “Of course they are compatible and who plays as ‘9’ will vary in the games, because Ancelotti gives the players a lot of freedom in attack, and sometimes Mbappé and sometimes Vinicius will start in that position, as has happened this year, even Rodrygo. The speed of that trident, with Bellingham behind, is going to be unstoppable. With them, Madrid can mark an era.”