Another blow for Real Madrid’s Mendy
The French left back had to be substituted at halftime against Manchester City after feeling cramps in his leg.
He had been delivering a flawless performance, keeping Savinho and Semenyo quiet as Real Madrid hosted Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16. He ended the first half celebrating a defensive play with his teammates, one in which he had been the key figure… until his body, once again, said enough.
It was already telling at halftime when Fran García was seen warming up. And when the players returned to the field for the second half, the bad news was confirmed. The Frenchman stayed in the locker room, hurting both physically and mentally after new muscular discomfort.
Mendy: “Best defensive left back in the world”
The defender was playing his second consecutive match as a starter after the game at Balaídos. He had earned the trust of Madrid’s coach Arbeloa just as he had previously done with Ancelotti, who once described him as the best defensive left back in the world. Fran García eventually came on in his place. In any case, the club tried to strike an optimistic tone, explaining that pending tests there is no confirmed injury and that Mendy was taken off as a precaution after feeling cramps.
Arbeloa is now set to be without Mendy for the La Liga game against Elche, which he is unlikely to feature in, and he is at least a doubt for the second leg at the Etihad next week.
The good news is that Carreras is close to returning. The Galician full back had been expected to start tonight’s match but ultimately missed out after failing to recover in time from a calf knock suffered in the game against Getafe, where he also picked up his fifth yellow card of the La Liga cycle, which ruled him out of the trip to Balaídos as well.
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