Real Madrid secured a fantastic 3-0 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, but it was not a perfect evening for Alvaro Arbeloa. He was already without the likes of Alvaro Carreras, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe for the Bernabeu clash, and another casualty has now appeared to fall.
Carreras’ absence meant that Ferland Mendy started for the second match running, but after playing 90 minutes in Friday’s victory over Celta Vigo, his body broke down in the first half of the Man City clash. He was forced off at half time, with Fran Garcia replacing him for the remaining minutes.
Arbeloa confirmed that Mendy’s injury “does not look good”, which could mean another spell on the sidelines for the luckless defender. As per Guillermo Rai, Real Madrid will put him through medical tests on Thursday to determine the extent of the issue, and whether it will be another significant lay-off.
Arbeloa facing left-back issue for upcoming Elche clash
What is certain that Mendy won’t be involved against Elche this weekend, which would leave Fran Garcia as Real Madrid’s only available left-back. Arbeloa has chosen against counting on the La Fabrica graduate on regular occasions since taking over as manager, especially when compared to predecessor Xabi Alonso.
The good news for Arbeloa is that Carreras is expected to return in time for the second leg against Man City, although he would not be fully match sharp. That will be a concern in itself, although for now, it will just be about seeing whether or not Mendy will also be able to travel to Manchester next week.
Real Madrid will know more about Mendy’s situation in the next 24-48 hours. They will be hoping that he has not suffered yet another long-term injury, and that would be a disaster – especially for him.
Leave Madrid!!!
Yesterday a totally different game.Passes from everybody to everyone from all sides.NOT THE SAME ROUTINE OF GIVE IT TO VINI LET HIM PASS THE ENTIRE DEFENCE,TRY TO SCORE OR PASS TO MBAPPE.NEVER A LONG PASS TO THE Center OR RIGHT WING????
EVERYBODY PASSES TO MBAPPE????ALWAYS THE SAME.
Yesterday everybody played, passes from everyone to every body even the Goalkeeper.CONUSION FOR THE DEFENCE LIKE RM ALWAYS DID.They never had the best defence but they always scored more goals to win&
IT WAS NOT ALWAYS RONALDO.IT WAS Benzema VINI,.KROOS,CARVACHAL.MODRICH ETC ETC.
Real came out from out, from the opening whistle, stronger, swarming and more aggressive than City. This was the Real Madrid of old. If they continue to play like this for the remainder of the season, will Arbolea get any credit from the C-suite?
Doku looks like a good fit for Atleti with a free this summer.