Mendy leaves Zidane without full-backs for game at the Mestalla

Everything was going well for Real Madrid who were winning 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. The experiment of starting with Rodrygo and Vinicius had gone well and Benzema once again scored goals and gave assists. 

Before the second goal, Mendy was cautioned for fouling Victor Gomez to break down an Espanyol counter. In the 83rd minute, he was given his second booking for a late challenge on Gomez's foot. 

Real Madrid were reduced to ten men and Mendy will be suspended for the next game. The full back is competing with Marcelo for a starting place and he will not be best pleased at missing a match which Zidane might have played him in. 

In the end, the home team ended up winning and they showed what they are capable of doing. It is a morale booster ahead of the Clasico in 11 days time. In fact, there were a load of cards at the back end of the contest.