Real Madrid returned to training after two days of rest following their victory in the Spanish football classic, with the French player Ferland Mendy absent during the first of two sessions before facing Real Sociedad on Friday in San Sebastián.

The muscle discomfort that kept Mendy from training on Saturday, on the final day of Real Madrid's training before their match against Barcelona, has not subsided for the French left-back, according to sources from the club.

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He is expected to play in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal on Tuesday in Munich against Bayern, but his presence against Real Sociedad is uncertain. Carlo Ancelotti already rested his starting left-back in the classic, and given the 11-point lead with 18 points remaining in LaLiga, he is likely to find a substitute for the match at the Reale Arena.

Mendy took to the pitch on Wednesday and trained individually with a fitness coach, separate from the group, like the injured Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba, who continued with their recovery plans.

The morning began at the Ciudad Real Madrid with gym work before the Madrid players practiced on the field in a session with the ball, with small-sided games and finishing drills, during which Ancelotti began assessing changes he will make to his starting lineup.

It is expected that, with LaLiga nearly decided, the Italian coach will mix starters and reserves in his starting lineup, giving rest to players who have a heavy physical workload ahead of the European match at Allianz Arena.

In addition to Mendy, starters such as Antonio Rüdiger, Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde, and Rodrygo Goes are likely to be replaced by teammates in the starting lineup.