Real Madrid: 4 takeaways from announced squad against Leganes

Mendy or Marcelo?

I know this is more of a question than a takeaway, but it’s an appropriate question to ask whenever seeing both Ferland Mendy and Marcelo’s names on the squad sheet. They haven’t been healthy at the same time for much of the past two months, and there was a period of time when both were injured. In fact, Dani Carvajal had to play at left back earlier this month against Granada when both them and Nacho Fernandez were out with injuries.

Ferland Mendy has always seemed close to a return, so he could get the start against Leganes on Wednesday. That said, Zinedine Zidane knows how valuable the young left back is to Real’s goals, especially against talented attacking teams. So easing Mendy back into the swing of things is likely the name of the game here.

Therefore, if Mendy isn’t absolutely 100 percent ready to go on Wednesday, expect to see Marcelo getting another start. While Marcelo obviously isn’t the same player he used to be, his creativity and veteran know-how still make him one of the world’s better left backs. Marcelo has been solid this season, even if he has been a step below Mendy overall. Either way, one of these two men should have a strong day against Leganes.