Ancelotti makes key left-back decisions for Real Madrid ahead of Osasuna and Man City tests | OneFootball

A recent report from AS has shed light on the situation surrounding Real Madrid’s left-back position.

The outlet mentions that despite Fran Garcia performing at his highest level since returning to the club, he remains the second-choice option.

This means that while he is expected to start against Osasuna, the more crucial fixture against Manchester City has already been reserved for Ferland Mendy.

Mendy is the first-choice

Mendy continues to be the preferred option for high-stakes matches. That remains unchanged, no matter how well Garcia has been playing.

This ongoing debate about the left-back position remains a topic of discussion, but it is not something that concerns Carlo Ancelotti. The manager has complete trust in Mendy, as he has been a key figure in important games.

That does not take away from the fact that Garcia has significantly stepped up his game.

Ferland Mendy will be Real Madrid’s first-choice against Man City. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

One telling statistic highlights his progress—despite the season still being in its early stages, he has already accumulated nearly as many minutes on the pitch as he did throughout the entirety of the previous campaign.

Mendy for Man City, Garcia for Osasuna

For the upcoming Champions League clash against Manchester City, Mendy is set to start. Despite the ongoing concerns surrounding his form and fitness, Ancelotti sees him as the ideal left-back for high-pressure encounters.

The reason is simple—Mendy offers defensive solidity, which is what the manager values most in that position. With Vinicius Junior operating on the left flank, attacking runs from the full-back are not a priority.

Instead, Ancelotti prefers a player who can stay back and provide defensive assurance. That is exactly why Mendy will be tasked with.

This remains the biggest challenge for Garcia. Even though he is playing some of his best football, he has not managed to convince Ancelotti that he deserves to be the first-choice left-back.

The reality is that Mendy continues to hold a more established place in the squad. For now, Garcia will have to remain patient, knowing that despite his improvements, he is still second in the pecking order.