City hold a 2-1 aggregate lead over Real Madrid after the first leg of our last 16 tie, with the second leg yet to be played after the competition was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A decision is yet to be made as to whether play will resume, but Mendy says the desire to lift the biggest prize in club football has motivated him to ensure he is ready ahead of any potential return to action.
“We had a good game in Madrid and now we still have to play the second leg,” said the Frenchman.
“I know that in the minds of every player they know that just because we won there does not mean that it is finished or that we are qualified.
“It is not every day that you go to somewhere like the Bernabeu and perform like that in the Champions League.
“We have an opportunity to go far in this cup and we want it, so everybody wakes up, works out, stays focused on the target for when they say we can come back.
“We don’t have the Champions League yet so it is the dream.”
It has not all been about football in the Mendy household, however.
With COVID-19 causing everyday life to slow down dramatically, the 25-year-old admits he has been reflecting on what is important.
He has taken advantage of his increased time at home to enjoy other aspects of his life and to learn some new skills, whilst he has welcomed the opportunity to concentrate on Ramadan.
“All of the people have missed football, but at this time now, for Muslim people it means I can be more focused on Ramadan,” he explained.
“We don’t train, we can fast, but the mosques are closed and we can’t go out or see family at Eid. So I have missed the football but it makes you focus on the more important things.
“I have tried to develop myself and learn every day.
“First of all, I was just working out and training, but then I wanted to learn some new stuff as well so I started painting and I like it now.
“Some of my family bought me some stuff to make cooking easier, it helps to learn, and it has been nice. I try to keep busy and do some new stuff.
“I hope everyone is good and all the families are safe. I know that this is a difficult moment, but it is going to be better.”
For Mendy, a return of Premier League football would provide a welcome boost
Clubs voted unanimously for players to return to training this week and whilst no date has been set for games to restart, our left back is looking forward to lacing up his boots again when it is deemed safe to do so.
“I can’t wait,” he added. “We are just waiting for the green light.
“Everywhere we see we are going to start on this date and that date. Now I wait for the guys to text us to tell us the league is going to start at this time, and we are going to be so happy.
“But I know they are going to take all the precautions when we are back. It’s not like they are just going to say ‘let’s go play’, they are going to check everything and I think that’s why it takes time.
“When? We don’t know, we can’t decide anything, we need to follow the club.
“I think all of us firstly want to protect the people and then if we can play then why not? We will wait and see.”
