Mendy Returns to Boost Madrid Before Juve Clash: A European Night at the Bernabéu

Mendy's Return and Madrid's Lineup

Real Madrid secured a significant boost ahead of tonight’s Champions League showdown with Juventus with the return of French left-back Ferland Mendy, sidelined for six months due to a knee injury suffered in last season’s King's Cup final.

According to Marca, coach Xabi Alonso opted to keep the same starting XI used to beat Getafe, reintegrating Mendy once he was fully fit.

Reports also note that Trent Alexander-Arnold was not named in the squad despite training with the group, as the staff prefers to ease him back in alongside Dani Carvajal and Din Huysen ahead of the Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday.

Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, and Fran González.

Lineups, Key Players, and Alonso’s Outlook

Madrid’s defense features Militao, Carvajal, Fran Garcia, and Mendy, while the midfield brigade includes Jude Bellingham, Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, and Thiago. In attack, the lineup lists Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, Mbappé, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, Ibrahim Díaz, and Mastantuño.

Alonso framed the Juve match as a European classic, stressing the importance of a strong Bernabéu atmosphere to push for a third consecutive continental win. He lauded Vinícius as a decisive, influential player, praised Endrick’s rapid development, and noted Arda Güler’s growing impact as part of Madrid’s attacking depth.

Regarding Endrick’s future, the coach indicated that now isn’t the time to discuss loans, underscoring the competition for spots with Ibrahim Díaz and Gonzalo. He joked that Madrid doesn’t need a clone—he’d rather invest in the current group to reach their peak together.

On Juventus, Alonso described them as tactically rich and warned that their threat remains real if Madrid aren’t disciplined. He pointed out that certain players won’t be ready for the clash, emphasizing the need to impose Madrid’s style and be direct in approach.

Alonso also discussed Mbappé’s contributions, saying his impact goes beyond goals and extends to team dynamics, pressure, and leadership. When asked about Thibaut Courtois versus Iker Casillas in Madrid’s goalkeeping legacy, he replied that Thibaut is currently the best, while acknowledging Casillas as a symbol of the club’s history.

He praised midfielder Eduardo Camavinga as embarking on a new phase and highlighted Mastantuño’s potential at only 18, insisting the club must invest in his continued growth.

As for the 2017 Champions League final against Juventus in Cardiff, Alonso recalled Madrid’s control from start to finish and credited the team’s performance to Zinedine Zidane and the squad’s cohesion.

Marca notes the key question remains where Bellingham will fit in the lineup, with talk that he could start in place of Camavinga if necessary. Madrid visit the Juve tie amid a packed week that also features a Clasico at the Bernabéu next Sunday against Barcelona.

Looking at Juventus, the piece notes they travel to Madrid after a league loss to Como, with several players sidelined including Bremer, Juan Cuadrado, Edon Zjgrova, Carlo Pinsoglio, and Arkadius Milik as they field a depleted squad.

Punchline time: If defense were an art, Mendy’s back in the frame and Madrid just bought the frame with a warranty—finally, a picture-perfect fortress that even a meme would respect. If football had a bank, Madrid would have zero in overdraft and a massive credit line in swagger. And if you’re wondering about tonight’s score, don’t worry—the only thing sharper than Madrid’s defense will be Alonso’s sharper suit at the press conference.