The downside of setting expectations so high is how challenging it is to return to reality. Jude Bellingham has settled into his more subdued version. After returning exhausted from playing with England during the last break, the absence of games with Real Madrid did not bring back his lethal image. What was shown against Athletic Club was confirmed against City on one of those days when great players must step up.

And Bellingham didn't do it against Pep Guardiola's team. Beyond his great defensive effort, running excessively and wearing himself out to add freshness in the offensive phase. Always with quality gestures to link up instantly. To invent a back-heel pass and launch the quick transition or find his teammates' runs into space.

But diminishing his presence in the opponent's area. His influence in the finish. None between the posts. With little impact on the attack, with just six passes, none of them key, but also reducing his presence in the construction of the game. He attempted 31 passes against City, completing 27, when his season average is 52 per game, according to BeSoccer data for EFE.

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There are evident signs visible to any fan. The drop in Jude's goal-scoring performance, unprecedented in his career until his arrival at Real Madrid. A midfielder who took advantage of the absence of a pure No. 9 upon his arrival after Karim Benzema's departure, to develop a virtue in the space from the attacking midfield position. The role Carlo Ancelotti invented for the Englishman, with which he chose to modify his current lineup.

From scoring five goals in his first four games to achieving it in just one of the last seven in a decisive phase of the season. When major titles are decided, Bellingham only linked his name to a goal against Girona, with a brace.

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Since his expulsion in Mestalla for protesting the referee when he blew the final whistle without validating his header into the net, he has had inconsequential appearances against Leipzig, in the challenging return leg of the Champions League Round of 16, Athletic Club, and Manchester City. In his last thirteen games with the white club, he scored in two. In the first thirteen of the season, he scored in ten.

That disparity in Bellingham's statistics in the first part of the season, from August until the last game in December, and since then to the present, reflects the drop in performance. From 53.88 attempted passes to 50.38 per game, from 0.81 key passes to 0.66.

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From boasting an average of 0.84 goals per game to 0.26. He used to shoot 1.36 shots on target per game. Since January, 0.91 shots on target. With less wear, he attempted more dribbles (4.7 per game compared to the current 3.9) and successfully got past opponents more often (59.6% success rate compared to the present 52.1%).

The loss of shine in the final meters is not accompanied by a decrease in effectiveness in the defensive phase. Bellingham doesn't shy away from efforts, gives everything he has, and always empties himself in pressing, in helping teammates. He still wins 10 duels per game he plays, making five recoveries (six against City).

But Real Madrid needs one more step from Jude at the Etihad to advance to the Champions League semifinals. A stadium where he played twice and lost both with Borussia Dortmund. He scored in the last one, a goal that Carlo Ancelotti once again needs, yearning for the version that amazed the football world of his player to knock down the reigning European champion.