And 27 league matchdays later, Ferland Mendy was finally able to start a game for Real Madrid this season. A double celebration, because he also managed to finish the match without his body betraying him. And not just anywhere – away at Balaídos, a stadium that didn’t truly loosen its grip until the 95th minute. Álvaro Arbeloa first breathed a sigh of relief (“After so many months without competing, we’ve taken a risk with him”), then used the Frenchman’s positive example to spark his squad: “We need players like that, guys who push.” Mendy as motivation.
Whether his teammates take the hint or not, Madrid’s No. 23 injects a significant competitive boost for what’s coming. And what’s coming is Manchester City. Experience and savvy as countermeasures to the endless stream of attacking resources that City will pour down that left flank of Madrid’s defense. Antoine Semenyo (seven goals since joining the Citizens in January), Savinho – who scored in the FA Cup last Saturday against Newcastle – whoever it is. If Mendy holds up, he’s the antidote.
World’s “best defensive left-back”
Battling Pep Guardiola’s team, in fact, is one of the French left back’s specialties. His rugged presence stood out in two of Madrid’s most Herculean recent nights against City: the 3-1 comeback in the 2021-22 semifinals, and the gritty, backs‑to‑the‑wall performance at the Etihad Stadium that led to a 1-1 draw in the 2023–24 quarterfinal second leg – eventually sealed in a penalty shootout thanks to Andriy Lunin and Antonio Rüdiger. A passport to the starting lineup first stamped by Zinedine Zidane and later by Carlo Ancelotti, who gave him the ultimate seal of approval: “Mendy is the best defensive left-back in the world.”
Another matter entirely is that his spotty availability – especially over the past two seasons – has turned Mendy into something of an exotic commodity. But suddenly a very valuable one now that Álvaro Carreras has gone down injured and Arbeloa has banished Fran García to the bench (not a single minute in LaLiga and only 14 minutes in the Champions League under the Salamanca‑born coach). In less than a week, Mendy has gone from mysteriously absent to a legitimate candidate to start this Wednesday’s City first leg.
Mendy (right) challenges Bernardo Silva in the 2023-24 Champions League quarterfinals.DeFodi Images
A defender dogged by injuries
These things happen at Madrid this season, though they’re independent of the Frenchman’s ability. The club and the coaching staff who’ve overseen him have always admired Mendy’s competitiveness – that’s why his contract was extended in 2024 – but his durability has been, and continues to be, a perpetual headache. Before stepping onto the pitch at Balaídos, the – back had played just six matches in the previous 365 days, and he has missed 124 games due to medical issues during his Madrid tenure.
The immediate present, however, is different: he’s available and appears to be capable of lasting a full match. Arbeloa essentially said as much, and his words echo the tones of Zidane and Ancelotti: “Every time Ferland is on the pitch, it’s more likely that Madrid wins…” How to multiply those occasions – that’s the million‑dollar question.
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