Mendy misses Real Madrid's training one day before 'El Clasico'

Dani Carvajal overcame the muscular discomfort that prevented him from finishing Wednesday's game at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City and returned to the group dynamic on the eve of 'El Clasico'. Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois started the session with his team-mates and Frenchman Ferland Mendy was absent due to a slight strain.

The two players who were injured in the Manchester City clash, Carvajal and Vinicius Junior, will not miss 'El Clasico'. Carlo Ancelotti had them both available for the last session at Real Madrid's training complex on Saturday morning, in which he assessed their fitness and the physical condition of the squad.

Ancelotti will not make any changes to his starting XI after the Champions League semi-finals despite the high level of wear and tear in a match of maximum tension, including extra time. The Italian coach, according to 'EFE' sources at the club, sees his first-choice players in perfect physical condition to start 'El Clasico' against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.

All except Mendy, who was the big absentee from the last session before 'El Clasico', as he stayed inside the facilities to recover with the physiotherapists from a muscle strain. His presence in the game has not been ruled out, but everything suggests that the Italian coach will start Fran Garcia or Nacho Fernandez on the left flank.

 

April 20, 2024