Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender did not train with group today due to overload – report
Journalist Guillermo Rai has reported that Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy trained alone and away from the rest of the group due to an overload today.
However, the 28-year-old will join his teammates tomorrow, just like Federico Valverde as Real Madrid prepare to return to action following their 2-1 win against Barcelona in El Clasico.
It must be noted that Mendy has encountered recurring physical issues in the current season, which have significantly disrupted his participation.
The French left-back had already been sidelined for the initial six games of the season due to injury.
Injured during the Clasico
Following his return, the French left-back made only four starts before suffering yet another setback during El Clasico in Barcelona.
Mendy sensed tightness in his hamstrings and promptly requested a substitution in the 52nd minute during the game.
Having endured recurring muscle issues over the past two years, he decided to prioritize the prevention of any aggravation.
Mendy’s decision proved beneficial, as medical examinations conducted by Real Madrid’s doctors on Wednesday morning revealed no signs of any muscle damage.
Will he be available for the next game?
As preparations continued for the upcoming derby against Rayo Vallecano, Mendy was notably absent from the group’s training session on Thursday, just three days before the match.
If reports are to be believed, he underwent medical examination on Thursday and the good thing is, the results confirmed no injury whatsoever.
Following a three-day break provided by Carlo Ancelotti, the Frenchman refrained from participating in the group training session.
As a preventive measure, he dedicated his training session to solitary workouts within the confines of Real Madrid’s training facilities, focusing on his ongoing muscle-strengthening regimen.
The left-back will soon return to group training and is anticipated to be in good condition for the upcoming match, although it is unlikely that he will be in the starting lineup.
Nico Paz was long hyped as Real Madrid Castilla’s brightest upcoming star. The media constantly kept the spotlight on the young Argentine through pre-season as he made a strong impression under Carlo Ancelotti in preseason.
His breakthrough eventually arrived, courtesy of Real Madrid’s injury crisis. He has now made two appearances for the team in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and even recorded his first goal for the club earlier this week against Napoli.
Taking his chances
As revealed by AS (h/t The Madrid Zone), Paz has impressed management with his cameo against Napoli and will be called up for Real Madrid’s clash against Granada tomorrow.
In fact, there is a good chance he sees significant game time on the night.
After all, Ancelotti is without the likes of Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the park.
With Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham filling the starting spots, Paz serves as the manager’s first-choice backup off the bench.
Paz voices his elation
Paz’s introduction against Napoli changed the texture of the game, and it was only poetic that he got the goal that put Real Madrid ahead again on the night.
Speaking to the media after his special night, the Castilla star did not hold back on his emotions.
“This is a dream. For a moment I didn’t even believe it. Very happy to be able to help the team. I dared. I was in automatic mode, I didn’t even know what I was doing. I hit it and well.”
“This is also a message for the other youth players: it is possible to get there. Ancelotti congratulated me, and the whole staff. They are an incredible group and I want to thank them all,” he added, urging his Castilla teammates to keep pushing.
