Karim Benzema WILL be fit to face Liverpool in the Champions League next week, confirms Ancelotti
Karim Benzema WILL be fit to face Liverpool in the Champions League next week, confirms Carlo Ancelotti, after the striker was ruled out of Real Madrid’s game against Espanyol with an ankle injury
- Benzema has suffered an ankle problem, but the problem is not believed to be serious
- He has struggled with injuries this season but has still scored 18 goals.
- The striker’s contract ends at the end of the season, but the focus is on this year.
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Karim Benzema will be ready to face Liverpool in the Champions League next week.
The striker has been ruled out of Madrid’s Liga match against Espanyol on Saturday due to an ankle injury.
Madrid faces Liverpool in Spain on Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.
Madrid win 5-2 after the first match at Anfield, with two goals from Benzema in the match.
Ancelotti has allayed fears that his star man would be available for the tie despite his problem.
Karim Benzema is deemed fit to face Liverpool in the Champions League next week
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that Benzema will miss the weekend game but will be available in the middle of the week.
He said: ‘He will be available for Wednesday’s game. He has had a blow to his ankle, his ankle is swollen, he has been trying to recover but has started individual training today (Friday).
Rodrygo will play center forward tomorrow.
Benzema has scored 18 goals in 27 appearances this season for Madrid and continues his fine form after winning the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
However, at 35, he has struggled with injuries throughout the season and is out of contract at the end of the season.
Ancelotti admitted that he expected speculation about the French striker’s future, but that he is focused on success until the end of the season.
The striker scored twice in Madrid’s 5-2 first-leg win over Liverpool at Anfield
“It is inevitable that it will affect the team because of how important it is,” Ancelotti said of Benzema’s absence. Especially with the season he had last season.
In the first part of this he did well and in the second he did his thing, he scored goals. We believe that it will be important until the end of the season.
“He has done well in some games, like in the last 16, scoring two goals. What will happen tomorrow is something that can happen to a footballer.
As I said, for me he is a player for life, but I don’t know what will happen next year.
