Karim Benzema will miss Saturday’s Spanish league match in opposition to Espanyol due to an ankle damage, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stated on Friday, including that the French striker needs to be able to play upcoming video games in opposition to Liverpool and Barcelona.
“(Benzema) has a knock on his ankle and it has swollen,” Ancelotti stated. “He has trained individually today and he will be ready for the game against Liverpool.”
Madrid hosts Liverpool within the Champions League on Wednesday with a 5-2 benefit from the primary leg of the spherical of 16. The group will then go to Barcelona on March 19 in a “clásico” that may have an effect on the Spanish title chase.
Benzema has been stricken by minor accidents this season, which comes after a stellar 2021-22 marketing campaign when he led Madrid to the European Cup and Spanish league title after scoring 44 objectives. That earned him the Ballon d’Or award for greatest participant.
The 35-year-old Benzema has missed 12 video games thus far for Madrid, in addition to the FIFA World Cup for France, due to accidents this season. He performed the complete 90 minutes in opposition to Real Betis in a 0-0 draw on Sunday.
Ancelotti stated his group has missed having its greatest participant accessible for extra video games.
“I believe it is inevitable that this hurts us because Karim is so important for us, especially after his performances last season,” Ancelotti stated. “But we have yet to reach the important part of the season. We are confident he will be there to help us.”
Rodrygo will substitute Benzema within the beginning lineup in opposition to Espanyol, the coach stated.
Madrid trails Barcelona by 9 factors within the Spanish league. Barcelona visits Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Ancelotti additionally stated he anticipated injured defender Ferland Mendy to be prepared in time for the sport in opposition to Liverpool.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com