Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is not known for tinkering with his line-ups, nor experimenting with positions except in an emergency, or sometimes when he tries to donate his stars in the same line-up. With the injury crisis that stands out again this weekend, the Italian coach is forced to improvise for their collision with Manchester City.
All their starting central defenders are injured, with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba being excluded last week. They came to the treatment table at Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, and their absence means that Aurelien Tchouameni will probably start alongside younger Raul Asencio, who is impressed early.
But with Lucas Vazquez who is excluded for two to three weeks on Sunday after a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid, Ancelotti is also without any backs of trade. It was largely accepted, as happened in recent weeks that Fede Valverde would return to right back. Cadena, however, notes that in the run -up to the city conflict, left back Ferland Mendy stood in line.
The Frenchman has played on the right against Eibar from the start under Zinedine Zidane, but it is far from his regular position. If Ancelotti continues that idea, Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham would be accompanied by Valverde in midfield.
Mendy was one of the most reliable players of Real Madrid last season, but has struggled for form and fitness in recent months. Fran Garcia was preferable to Atletico, and it seems that the Castilla product has the lead over Mendy at the moment the starting links, after he fought for Ancelotti's Trust this season. Mendy recently extended his contract for two years, but did not deliver as hoped, after Ancelotti called him the best defensive left back in the world last year.
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