A few days ahead of the crucial match against Liverpool, the Madrid press is discussing Carlo Ancelotti’s upcoming decisions. Against Mohamed Salah’s side, a predictable choice is causing great concern among Madrid fans.
This is one of the major matches awaiting Real Madrid at the end of this year. After two disappointments (against Lille and AC Milan) in the Champions League this season, Carlo Ancelotti and his players face a daunting trip to Anfield Road to take on Liverpool, who currently top the qualifying group table. For this match, Madrid’s defence is a serious worry due to numerous injuries. With Eder Militao, sidelined for the rest of the season, no longer an option, Lucas Vazquez is expected to return on the right flank.
Ferland Mendy, the choice causing anxiety
On the other side of the defence, the likely inclusion of Ferland Mendy in the starting lineup has sparked much debate. As noted by our colleague Guillermo Rai from the English media outlet The Athletic, the 29-year-old left-back is Carlo Ancelotti’s number one choice for big matches. While this decision has proven wise in the past due to the French defender’s solid performances, things have changed this season. Recently extended until 2027, Mendy has been underperforming for several weeks.
Unrecognisable against Lille in the Champions League, where he had to be replaced at half-time by Fran Garcia, Ferland Mendy repeated his poor display against FC Barcelona in the bitterly disappointing Clasico (a 4-0 loss). And with Alphonso Davies yet to arrive to stabilise the situation, it seems almost certain that the left-back will start once again against Mohamed Salah’s Reds. While Ancelotti continues to express his faith in Mendy, many observers and fans of the Blancos do not share the same sentiment.
What solution for the left flank against Liverpool?
As things stand, it’s clear that Madrid fans will be watching the crucial fifth Champions League group stage match next Wednesday with nerves on edge. Already facing uncertainty over the availability of a centre-back partner for Rudiger, Madrid will need full-backs in top form to contain Liverpool’s dynamic attackers. For Don Carlo, there aren’t many options, as Eduardo Camavinga—who has often filled in well on the left side of defence in previous seasons—remains the only viable choice for the holding midfield role.
With Aurélien Tchouaméni injured and reportedly being considered as Rudiger’s partner if he recovers in time, there are limited midfield options to move Camavinga to Mendy’s position. Additionally, it seems highly unlikely that Fran Garcia will genuinely hold down the left flank next Wednesday. At this point, Carlo Ancelotti will need to devise a plan to ensure his team defends cohesively.
For things to go well at Anfield, where Liverpool are determined to end their losing streak against Madrid, the attack must be in top form. With Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior likely to feature, pressing and unsettling the Reds will be crucial to disrupting their gameplay. In any case, the challenge ahead looks tough for Real Madrid.
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