Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stated on Friday that Karim Benzema will miss Saturday’s Spanish league match in opposition to Espanyol on account of an ankle harm. The French striker ought to be able to play within the upcoming matches in opposition to Liverpool and Barcelona.
“(Benzema) has an ankle injury and it is swollen,” Ancelotti stated. “He trained individually today and will be ready for the game against Liverpool.”
Madrid hosts Liverpool within the Champions League on Wednesday with a 5-2 lead from the primary leg of the spherical of 16. The group then visits Barcelona on 19 March in a “clásico” that can have an effect on the Spanish title chase.
Benzema has been stricken by minor accidents this season, which comes after a formidable 2021-22 marketing campaign by which he scored 44 objectives to steer Madrid to the European Cup and Spanish league titles. This earned him the Ballon d’Or award for the most effective participant.
The 35-year-old Benzema has missed 12 appearances for Madrid in addition to France within the World Cup thus far this season on account of accidents. He performed the complete 90 minutes in Sunday’s 0-0 draw in opposition to Real Betis.
Ancelotti stated his group had missed out on making their greatest participant out there for extra video games.
“I believe it is inevitable that it hurts us because Karim is very important to us, especially after his performances last season,” Ancelotti stated. “But we haven’t reached the crucial part of the season yet. We are confident that he will be there to help us.”
The coach stated that Rodrigo will change Benzema within the beginning lineup in opposition to Espanyol.
Madrid are 9 factors behind Barcelona within the Spanish league. Barcelona visits Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Ancelotti additionally stated he hoped to have injured defender Ferland Mendy prepared in time for the sport in opposition to Liverpool.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
