Zinedine Zidane has a problem in the run-up to Alaves’ visit to the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Friday night, with Dani Carvajal suspended for the match.

The Spaniard’s replacement will be Ferland Mendy, a left-footed left-back who will have to adapt to playing on the right-hand side of the back four.

It will be a noticeable change for the Frenchman, but it is not his first time filling in at right-back.

During the match against Eibar, the first one after LaLiga Santander got back underway, Carvajal came off at half-time due to an ankle knock.

Marcelo had started at left-back, while Nacho Fernandez and Lucas Vazquez were injured, so Zidane had to invent a right-back for the second half.

Eder Militao was an option, but he had been left out to sea playing in this position during Los Blancos’ defeat to Real Betis just prior to the coronavirus-enforced stoppage of football.

So, Zidane turned to Mendy, who had only played in that position for five minutes during a Europa League match for Lyon against Villarreal in 2017/18.

Mendy’s two appearances at right-back ended in identical results: 3-1 in favour of his teams.

As a No.2 against Eibar, the 25-year-old gave an ideal performance: better in defence than going forward, just like when he plays as a No.3.

In any case, Zidane seemed satisfied with his compatriot’s display and everything points to Mendy starting at right-back on Friday night.

Zidane doesn’t have many other options as Nacho is ruled out, Militao is filling in at centre-back for the suspended Sergio Ramos, and Lucas is preferred as a winger.

Raphael Varane will return after recovering from a neck injury, while Marcelo will make up the back four by once again starting at left-back.

Further up the pitch, Zidane has a plethora of options in midfield and attack.

source:- allfootballapp