Real Madrid defender returns with a solid performance after seven months out | OneFootball

Exactly seven months. From 26 April to 26 November – Ferland Mendy went without a single minute of football.

Having suffered an injury on his return to action in the Copa del Rey final, the left-back went through surgery and a rehabilitation so long that it sometimes felt endless.

The former Olympique Lyon was written off by many during this period, with Alvaro Carreras shining as Real Madrid’s starting left-back and Fran Garcia providing able backup.

But on his return last night against Olympiacos, after seven long months, Mendy proved otherwise. He dismisses the doubs.

Nightmare over

It all began with Mendy returning from a tear in the left biceps femoris for the Copa del Rey final in Seville. However, he only lasted 11 minutes before feeling a sharp, painful stab.

He was diagnosed with a tear in the rectus femoris in his right quadriceps. A serious injury with an estimated recovery of ten to twelve weeks. But Mendy was out for 214 days. That is 35 weeks.

The French defender reappeared on the bench on 22 October against Juventus. After that, he spent six consecutive matches watching from the sideline. Against Barcelona, Valencia, Liverpool, Rayo Vallecano and Elche he did not get a single minute.

Solid on his comeback

But, last night in Athens, everything shifted. Xabi Alonso chose Mendy as a starter, with Alvaro Carreras needed at centre-back, and placed him ahead of Fran Garcia.

And the 30-year-old left-back’s performance justified the manager’s decision. He was solid in defence, safe on the ball and quick going forward.

He looked like the same player he had been before the injury. That alone is significant, given everything he has endured.

The data supports him. Mendy was the outfield player who recovered the most balls (8), ahead of Raul Asencio (7) and Carreras (6). But his night was not limited to defence.

He completed the second most dribbles (2) and ranked third in chances created (2), behind only Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. In total, he produced 46 passes, the fifth highest in the team.

With Mendy making a strong case for himself on his first game under Alonso, the manager has a decision to make moving forward.