{"id":4416,"date":"2026-09-19T07:30:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T07:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=4416"},"modified":"2026-09-19T07:30:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T07:30:12","slug":"in-form-real-madrid-talent-set-to-keep-starting-spot-vs-atletico-despite-bellinghams-return-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=4416","title":{"rendered":"In-form Real Madrid talent set to keep starting spot vs Atletico despite Bellingham\u2019s return \u2013 report"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Arda Guler<\/a> is expected to retain his place in Real Madrid<\/a>\u2019s starting XI for Sunday\u2019s Madrid derby, with Jude Bellingham<\/a> also set to return to the team against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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According to AS<\/a>, manager Jose Mourinho is expected to keep faith with Guler despite Bellingham\u2019s return, although the England international\u2019s presence should alter the Turkish midfielder\u2019s position on the pitch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Guler has been one of the more notable developments<\/a> of Mourinho\u2019s early reign.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His technical quality has always been recognised, but the 21-year-old has added another dimension to his game this season through his growing influence from set pieces.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Guler ends Real Madrid\u2019s free-kick drought<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Real Madrid have lacked a consistent direct free-kick threat for several seasons, making Guler\u2019s emergence in that role particularly useful.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Guler is a threat from set pieces. (Photo by Francisco Macia\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Turkish international demonstrated exactly why Mourinho has trusted him from dead-ball situations against Elche.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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With only 25 minutes played, Guler stepped up and produced a superb free-kick to put Madrid on the scoresheet in their eventual 3-2 victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Notably, the goal ended Real Madrid\u2019s longest La Liga<\/a> drought without a direct free-kick goal, with the club having gone 120 competitive matches without scoring one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Furthermore, Guler\u2019s influence has extended beyond set pieces, too, as his overall contribution has made him increasingly important to Mourinho\u2019s plans, even though the Madrid manager resisted describing him as indispensable<\/a> after the Elche match.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bellingham\u2019s return changes Guler\u2019s role<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Meanwhile, Bellingham\u2019s return to the starting XI is expected to push Guler back towards the right side, the position he has occupied for much of the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Arda Guler will start alongside Bellingham in Madrid derby. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The England midfielder\u2019s comeback also creates a selection challenge that Mourinho did not have to deal with during Bellingham\u2019s absence.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Last season, Bellingham\u2019s return from his shoulder injury resulted in Guler being left on the bench for the first Madrid derby of the campaign, but this time, the expectation is different.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Guler has built enough momentum during the opening weeks of the season to remain in Mourinho\u2019s plans, even with Bellingham back.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His ability to provide creativity and offer a genuine threat from free kicks gives Madrid a strong attacking outlet against Atletico.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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