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SOCCER

Alarm bells at Real Madrid as Benzema limps out of Celtic game

Karim was replaced by Hazard in the 29th minute. He pulled up with a problem to his right knee during a Madrid counter-attack.

GlasgowUpdate:
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group H - Celtic v Real Madrid - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - September 6, 2022 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema reacts Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
LEE SMITHAction Images via Reuters

Red alert in Glasgow. Karim Benzema retired injured in the 29th minute of the Matchday 1 meeting with Celtic, after experiencing severe pain in his right knee. He suffered the injury himself, no other player was involved. It occurred as he attempted a rapid counter-attack inside his own half. The question, at the moment, is whether it was down to his leg landing awkwardly or a sprain. But he couldn’t continue. From the first moment he felt the pain, he stopped, all eyes were drawn to him while his team mates, confused, passed the ball without understanding what was happening.

Benzema touches his right knee after feeling pain at Celtic Park.
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Benzema touches his right knee after feeling pain at Celtic Park.Robbie Jay Barratt - AMAGetty

Karim tried for several minutes to remain on the pitch, even sprinting to meet a cross from the right wing, but it was clear he couldn’t carry on. As soon as the ball went out of play, he notified the referee. He had previously gestured to Ancelotti to make him aware of his pain and the coach ordered Rodrygo and Hazard to start warming up. In the end it was the Belgian who entered the field, playing as a false nine. Benzema, while shaking his head, headed for the tunnel. That has been the last image that has been seen of the Frenchman.

Ancelotti asks Hazard about his pain and he touches his right knee.
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Ancelotti asks Hazard about his pain and he touches his right knee.LEE SMITHAction Images via Reuters

The Madrid derby in 12 days’ time...

It’s an inopportune setback for Madrid, especially as the team has just embarked on a marathon of game with the derby in 12 days’ time. Ancelotti had made it clear in his pre-match press conference that Karim would be rested before the Atleti game but now he will be sidelined in any case. The striker has played every single minute of the current campaign - 450 minutes since the Super Cup in Helsinki. Not one minute of rest.

Even more worrying is Militão. The central defender completed the first half without an apparent problems, but failed to reappear after the break. Diario AS understands that he complained of discomfort to his left leg. Ancelotti sent Rüdiger out to warm up during the half-time interval, which suggested that there was some kind of problem. Both players will undergo further tests on the team’s return to Madrid.