Tests were tried, but they have not convinced Ancelotti. The Real Madrid coach, with Tchouaméni out, tried to see Ferland Mendy in the central midfield position up close in training, but he didn't like it. In the match against Osasuna, the French full-back was benched, having not even played in his most usual position.
Ferland Mendy has been left on the bench, neither a central midfielder nor a full-back. It seems that Ancelotti has decided to give him a rest against Osasuna, taking into account the busy schedule ahead and his recurring physical problems. In any case, what seems clear is that the Italian hasn't been convinced by the tests carried out in the center of the field and has decided to rule out this possibility for the moment.
Ferland Mendy is Not Convincing: He is Not the Midfielder against Osasuna
Ancelotti was trying him out for the match against Osasuna in the league before the break, but he didn't give him enough time to put him in as a defensive pivot. Eduardo Camavinga has appeared in his place, with the intention of giving a more creative touch to Real Madrid 's style of play.
Camavinga has been joined by Fede Valverde, after Ancelotti said he has back problems. The Uruguayan's closest entourage quickly denied this, to the point that he will start the next match. This seems to accentuate the problems between the player and the coach even more...
Ancelotti's 'Fantastic Four' against Osasuna
Leaving aside the central midfield position, where Ferland Mendy's experiment hasn't seemed to take off, Carlo Ancelotti has decided to go all out against Osasuna, at least in attack. This time, for Santiago Bernabéu, not one man on the bench: Bellingham, Mbappé, Vinícius... And also Rodrygo, who was looking for a starting spot.
Meanwhile, in other matters, Ancelotti seemed to make it clear in a press conference and he has delivered, with another benching for Güler and Endrick.
In short: Ferland Mendy's experiment hasn't convinced him for the midfield, while that position seems to be disputed by Eduardo Camavinga and Valverde . What Ancelotti was clear about at all times is that, against Osasuna, he will experiment as little as possible: it's always a difficult match and Real Madrid need the 3 points.