Ferland Mendy Injury: Will Real Madrid LB be available against Chelsea?

Real Madrid left back Ferland Mendy has become one of the team’s most important players, because they do not have a replacement for him in a back four. He is by far the team’s best left back and is one of the best defensive fullbacks in the league. Because of the ground he covers, he’s also an asset in the attack, even if his brilliant moments, such as his goal against Atalanta in the first leg, are few and far between.

Mendy has not played since Real’s second leg draw with Liverpool, as he’s been out with an injury. He missed two more draws with Getafe and Real Betis, as well as last week’s 3-0 win over Cadiz.

Madridistas expected him to miss these La Liga fixtures, and they’ve been anxiously waiting to hear word about his status for Tuesday’s big Champions League fixture against Chelsea, who have no shortage of quality attacking players.

According to MARCA’s Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa, Madridistas should not expect to see Ferland Mendy in the upcoming fixture at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Real Madrid will likely start Nacho at left back, not Ferland Mendy

Per Garcia-Ochoa, it seems “almost impossible” for Mendy to play due to his calf injury. Therefore, Real Madrid are expected to start Nacho Fernandez at the position, just as they did on Saturday night vs. Real Betis.

Nacho has been a tremendous center back this season, and he tries his best at left back. But he does not have the speed or skill on the ball to really push up the pitch. Before switching to a back three and moving Nacho to a left-sided center back position, Zinedine Zidane used an asymmetric formation with Dani Carvajal moving higher up the pitch and Nacho staying back and rotating to a more central position.

Perhaps we could see something similar against Chelsea with Nacho starting in lieu of Mendy. Marcelo could be an option to start in midfield or on the left with a back three, but there is no way Zidane trusts him as a left back against Chelsea. He would be a disaster.

Hopefully, Mendy can return for the second leg of the semifinals at Stamford Bridge, because it seems highly unlikely he’ll be ready or risked for the first leg.