Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy have been away from the pitch for too long. It looks like they have not been part of Real Madrid for this season. The last time they were both on the pitch since the first minute of the match is not easy to recall. Their situations have mostly been a mystery to the public and the fans have still to wait for their appearance...
Real Madrid are worried about both Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy. This season, Carlo Ancelotti has been unable to rely on them and regularly call upon either of his full-backs who were predicted to be the first choices when it came to the right back and left back positions. Those positions have been covered by a lot of players but no one has been able to have consistent performances of a high level.
Nobody has been able to give Los Blancos what Carvajal and Mendy could have, and their injuries are forcing caution as they get closer to their respective returns. It's possible that both could be named in Ancelotti's Champions League squad for the match against Shakhtar Donetsk on October 19, but the Italian and the club are reluctant to take any unnecessary risks.
Mendy last played in LaLiga Santander against Barcelona on April 10, and even then he forced himself to play when he wasn't in perfect shape. He played again in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea, knowing the importance of the game. His tibia problems have been dragging on for a long time now and he suffers discomfort when running and even while walking.
Together, Real Madrid and Mendy decided for him to take a break. Now, his problems are more mechanical, as his legs are not even and this leads to slight muscular discomfort. The club's medical staff want the 26-year-old to rediscover a balance to avoid these problems. They believe that he is close to reaching that point, but they don't want him to play again until he is fully ready.
Meanwhile on the other side, Carvajal has been making some changes when it comes to the habits. Dani Carvajal's situation is different, but there is good news around the Spaniard too. The right-back has done all he can to put his injuries behind him and his game is based on an intensity which cannot be changed.
Carvajal had been dogged with injuries throughout the 2020/21 campaign, managing just 15 games in all competitions, and suffered yet another muscle injury in Real Madrid's recent meeting with Valencia. The most recent injury looks set to keep the full-back out for another two months or so.
He has, though, changed some of his habits both in and out of the dressing room. Carvajal has visited several specialists in recent months and has adapted his diet as well. He has changed physio, his daily routine, his way of working.
As a result of his injury, Ancelotti has had to change plans to find a solution elsewhere, trying Fede Valverde, Nacho Fernandez and Lucas Vazquez at right-back this season. The club trusts Carvajal and they will certainly wait for him to reach his optimal form, as also seen by their decision to renew his contract until 2025. In the short term, the club hopes he can return in time to face Shakhtar Donetsk and Barcelona.
Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy were both in the starting XI in February in a 2-0 home win over Valencia. Since then 8 months have passed and they have started together not even a single time. It is hard to believe that two players that are meant to be the first choices have yet to play more together in order to create a stronger bond as every player in a starting XI of a team should. They are doing an important progress towards the return but very important matches are coming and the team really needs to have them back as soon as possible.
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