A right back capable of stopping Michael Olise is expected to be available for Real Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, sending Carreras to the bench.
Ferland Mendy has already trained with the rest of the squad completely normally in this morning's session at Valdebebas. The player could even make the list for this Friday's match against Girona, but the main goal is for him to arrive in the best possible condition for the return leg next Wednesday against Bayern at the Allianz, so he could get minutes already in the league match.
Alvaro Arbeloa has made it clear that anyone who does not believe in the comeback should not go to Munich. He will not lack Mendy in his squad, nor a recovered Bellingham. Same with Militao, who, along with the Englishman, could also return to the starting lineup.
The defense could therefore undergo up to two changes compared to the first leg. In Mendy's case, the idea is to stop Michael Olise, a real nightmare yesterday at the Bernabeu. Defenders and support were not enough, although he is perhaps the most in-form player in Europe's big leagues.
Mendy has experience. When he has been at his best level, he has been the left back and has almost always stopped the winger he has faced, from Salah with Liverpool, to Sterling with City, or Lamine at Barca.
Without going that far back, Mendy was key in his return at Balaidos, which earned him the starting spot afterward against City in the round of 16. He held on for one half against Guardiola's men, but kept Savinho or, later, Cherki at bay.
But he got injured and has not yet returned. There is no longer any reason not to take risks because there are few chances left in the season. Perhaps the Allianz will be the last unless the comeback happens.
Without a doubt, the fact that the difference is only one goal keeps hopes of a comeback sky-high for both fans and players, including Vinicius, who, after the match, posted a story on Instagram to encourage white fans to believe in the comeback.
"We are alive! You have to believe!" said the Brazilian on his social media. Encouragement that he will try to step up ahead of next week, when Real Madrid travels to Munich in search of a spot in the Champions League semifinal.
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