Real Madrid injury update ahead of Clásico: Benzema, Mendy, Rodrygo
Ferland Mendy has been ruled out of Sunday's game against Barcelona, but there is more positive news on the fitness of Karim Benzema and Rodrygo Goes.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has been dealt an injury blow ahead of Sunday’s Clásico against Barcelona, after it was revealed that left-back Ferland Mendy will miss the LaLiga clash at the Bernabéu.
Mendy facing up to two weeks out
After undergoing tests on Wednesday, Mendy is expected to be out for 10 days to two weeks with a groin injury suffered in Monday’s league win over Real Mallorca.
Benzema set for more tests before Clásico
However, there was more positive news on the fitness of Karim Benzema, who limped out of the 1-0 victory at Son Moix with a calf issue. The Frenchman still feels some pain, but is progressing well and has not been ruled out of the Barça game.
The 34-year-old will undergo further tests on Friday.
Rodrygo, Militão both fit for Barcelona clash
The third Madrid player forced off against Mallorca, Rodrygo Goes, appears to have escaped with no more than a heavy knock after suffering a late challenge by defender Antonio Raíllo.
Although Rodrygo remains in slight pain, he was able to train with the group on Wednesday and is expected to be fit to face Barça.
Éder Militão, who missed the victory at Mallorca with light flu symptoms, also trained as normal and will be available on Sunday.
Ancelotti's alternatives
Having also lost Mendy for last week’s Champions League second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, Ancelotti fielded Nacho Fernández at left-back against the Frenchmen. During the game, with Madrid in need of a goal, the Italian then swapped the utility man with David Alaba, who had started at centre-back.
A further alternative open to Ancelotti is Marcelo, who has only started three games this season - against Getafe, Granada and Villarreal, all in LaLiga - and failed to complete any of them.
If Madrid are forced to do without Benzema at centre-forward, there are several possibilities, none of which is entirely dependable. Ancelotti has dedicated number nines in the shape of Mariano Díaz and Luka Jovic, but appears to have no faith in either.
Gareth Bale can operate at centre-forward, and led the line against Villarreal in February, while midfielder Isco played as a false nine against Granada just over a month ago, but hasn’t had a single opportunity since.
Another option would be winger Marco Asensio, who deputised at centre-forward in February’s Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Club, in an experiment that did not offer promising results.