After 7 Months Out Injured, Alonso 'Forced' to Start Mendy Without Any Prior Minutes Since Return

Real Madrid will welcome back French left-back Ferland Mendy in today's match (21:00 GMT+1). Mendy is set to start against Olympiacos (21:00 GMT+1) in the fifth round of the Champions League league phase, a forced decision necessitated by the injury crisis plaguing the Royal Club's defensive line.

Mendy, 30, had sustained a muscle injury against Barcelona on April 26 during the Copa del Rey final, playing only 11 minutes before being forced off. From that date until today's fixture, the French full-back has been sidelined for a total of 214 days, equivalent to seven months.

Despite his return to Real Madrid's squad list on October 22, Mendy has not featured for a single minute, remaining an unused substitute in all previous matches while awaiting full fitness, which has only gradually been regained.

Coach Xabi Alonso finds himself compelled to start Mendy due to a comprehensive injury crisis that has decimated the defensive line. Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, and David Alaba are all currently unavailable.

This severe shortage of defensive options has made Mendy's inclusion a necessity rather than a choice, particularly in a match that could prove crucial for Real Madrid's progression in the league phase.