Real Madrid: Five reasons the Champions League can still be won

An astute defense, especially Ferland Mendy!

The 2019-20 La Liga season in terms of goals conceded over a 38-game season was the best season in Real Madrid history, conceding just 25 goals. Now that form just needs to translate to the knockout match against Manchester City and against other teams if they manage to progress to the next rounds.

Ferland Mendy has added a lot of individual quality and discipline to this defence, and he is almost unbeatable in one-on-one situations. The ability to track back with a venomous burst of speed and his positional acumen on the pitch are the key components of Mendy’s game, and his offensive game is highly underrated and reaching a level where he can influence a game with his contributions motoring down the left flank.

Another thing I could notice is that Mendy does not necessarily stick to the touchline. Instead, he likes to move into central positions and create an outlet for others during an interplay. His legs carry outrageous acceleration, allowing him to breeze past defenders. He will have a big hand to play in the second leg against City.

Sergio Ramos, on the other hand, will return if Real Madrid advance to the next round after serving his suspension. That will only bolster the defence that has produced rather indifferent performances in the competition so far.

If Real Madrid are to win the competition, their defence will be expected to ‘suffer’ but also ‘suffocate’, while the custodian Thibaut Courtois will have to produce some of the best saves of his professional career.