Real Madrid left back Ferland Mendy’s injury ‘doesn’t look good’

MADRID — Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy is facing another spell on the sidelines after sustaining an apparent injury during Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Manchester City, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed.

The 30-year-old France international was withdrawn at halftime of the last-16 first-leg tie at the Bernabéu, having only recently returned from a muscle problem that had sidelined him since November.

“We don’t know yet what it is, but it doesn’t look good,” Arbeloa told reporters, adding that Mendy will definitely miss Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Elche and could be unavailable for Tuesday’s return leg in Manchester.

Mendy had completed the full 90 minutes in last Friday’s league win over Celta Vigo, but Arbeloa conceded that rushing the left back back into action may have been premature.

“I appreciate his effort; after so long out, giving him two games was a risk,” the coach told Movistar. “It wasn’t ideal. I took that risk with him and I appreciate his performance.”

Real Madrid now await definitive medical results to determine the extent of Mendy’s setback as they prepare for a pivotal week in both domestic and European competition.