5 Real Madrid players with a point to prove vs. Manchester City

Real Madrid have a chance to complete a second Champions League knockout Remontada at the Santiago Bernabeu this season.

They were successful in advancing past PSG in the Round of 16 after a rapid-fire second-half hat-trick from Karim Benzema. Even against Chelsea, they had some Bernabeu magic with two late goals to save the draw after being thoroughly outplayed by Thomas Tuchel’s side for most of the second leg.

Now this Wednesday night, Real Madrid face a 4-3 deficit against a Manchester City side widely seen as the best team in the world. In order to win and advance, they will need several key players to step up to the plate.

Here are five Madrid players who have a major point to prove in the second leg at the Bernabeu.

LB Ferland Mendy

With Antonio Rudiger joining Real Madrid this summer and rumors indicating the team could buy Fran Garcia back, Ferland Mendy’s future is suddenly in doubt. Though he has been important to two of the team’s LaLiga titles in the last three years since he was signed from Lyon, Mendy has not convinced in the biggest matches with his weaknesses on the ball, whether against Chelsea or Manchester City recently.

Mendy had an assist for Karim Benzema’s opener last week, but he also had a woeful giveaway that allowed Fernandinho to create a goal from the right back position.

It is not a stretch to say that Mendy is playing to reaffirm his position at Real Madrid. He is not someone Los Blancos are actively trying to get rid of, but he is someone who needs to prove his place in the Spanish capital remains secure.