Real Madrid ‘taking care’ of defender to ensure readiness for Bayern Munich return fixture | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s hopes of going all the way in the UEFA Champions League are dangling by a thread after they suffered a 1-2 defeat to Bayern Munich last night in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

With the second leg set to be played at the Allianz Arena next week, Alvaro Arbeloa & co. are faced with a huge challenge of beating Bayern in their own backyard in order to stay alive in the competition.

But, leading up to that match, Real Madrid are expected to receive a major fitness boost in their defensive unit.

Ferland Mendy being rested ahead of the second leg

According to Jose Luis Sanchez on El Chiringuito TV, Real Madrid are ‘taking care’ of left-back Ferland Mendy so that he arrives fully fit for the second leg against Bayern Munich.

The 30-year-old left-back has been out injured since early March when he suffered a hamstring injury in the CL Round of 16 first-leg tie against Manchester City.

Ferland Mendy will be ready for the second leg. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

While he has resumed training with the group in recent days, Alvaro Arbeloa opted not to include him in the squad for yesterday’s clash.

The idea is for Real Madrid to manage Mendy’s return and workload with great care so that he arrives for the second leg against Bayern Munich next week fully fit and ready.

His availability could come as a major boost for Los Blancos, considering how Alvaro Carreras struggled to contain the threat of Michael Olise at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Indeed, chosen ahead of Fran Garcia on the night, the summer signing was all over the place and simply could not cope with the French winger.

Therefore, having Mendy, who is known to be a much more solid defender, back for the second leg will be a big positive for Real Madrid.