Real Madrid’s Mendy an injury doubt for Manchester City first leg

Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Chelsea came at the cost of an injury headache for head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has been left without his two first-choice options at left-back for Sunday’s crunch LaLiga clash with Sevilla. Neither Ferland Mendy nor Marcelo will be available to Los Blancos at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Mendy out for fortnight, Marcelo set for shorter spell in sick bay

Mendy has suffered a groin injury that will sideline him for around two weeks, leaving his involvement in Madrid’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City in doubt.

Marcelo also has a groin problem, albeit it is less serious. The 33-year-old is set to be out for a week, meaning he’ll sit out the game against Sevilla and is also expected to miss next Wednesday’s LaLiga clash with Osasuna.

No LaLiga games the weekend before City first leg

There are no LaLiga fixtures the following weekend because of the Copa del Rey final, allowing Ancelotti six days to prepare for Madrid’s opener against City, on Tuesday 26 April. The Italian will have to draft in Nacho Fernández at left-back against Sevilla and Osasuna. The Bernabéu youth product has now started 20 games this season, five of which on the left-hand side of the defence.

Madrid back in training after Champions League win

After sealing a 5-4 aggregate triumph in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg, Madrid returned to training on Thursday morning. Thibaut Courtois and Dani Carvajal both trained in the gym, but their involvement against Sevilla is not at risk. Nacho and Karim Benzema were able to go through their paces with the group, despite picking up niggles against Chelsea.