REAL MADRID
Karim Benzema a doubt just 5 days before Real Madrid’s visit to Anfield
Despite there being no clear injury, it is likely that Benzema will not play against Osasuna and wait for Anfield.
More bad news at Real Madrid HQ: Karim Benzema finished the match against Elche this Wednesday with a slight discomfort which persisted this Thursday at the training ground, Valdebebas, just five days before the visit to Anfield in the Champions League.
The Frenchman played 77 minutes of a game in which he was still lacking in match fitness, but despite this, he still managed to be decisive for Los Blancos, scoring two goals, both from the penalty spot, as well as having plenty of chances for several more.
Benzema did not train with the group
This Thursday, Benzema did not train as normal, like the rest of the starters against Elche. They all participated in a recovery session, but Benzema was more focused on reducing the levels of discomfort. The Frenchman has just overcome a new physical issue, what feels like the one millionth in a season that is weighing him down to the point of preventing him from playing in the World Cup in Qatar.
He missed the visit to Mallorca and the Club World Cup semifinal against Al Ahly, although he was able to play the final against Al Hilal, in which he scored one goal and assisted another.
Benzema will test for Pamplona
As reported by Real Madrid, there is no new injury or a recurrence of a previous problem, only bad feelings that lead the Frenchman to consider not playing in Pamplona this Saturday in order to guarantee that he arrives at the Liverpool game in the best form on Tuesday 21st February. The Frenchman knows his body better than anyone and usually stops when he feels a physical problem to prevent it from worsening, which is what he will probably do against Osasuna.
In any case, his absence in Pamplona is not confirmed: Benzema will test himself this Friday at Valdebebas before deciding along with Carlo Ancelotti and the head of Madrid’s medical services, Niko Mihic.
Madrid squad making up for Benzema’s loss
It is a setback that, if it happens, Ancelotti will be able to replace with the rest of the players in the squad, who are performing to an excellent level in terms of goals this season to make up for what Benzema is unable to score. Vinicius is set to return after his sanction, and with him 16 goals. The role of nine is to go to Rodrygo, who has 10 goals and shone as a left winger against Elche. Valverde, with his 11 goals, is also a dangerman. And they are joined by Asensio, who has scored 5 goals in just over 1,000 minutes of game time.
LaLiga Santander 2022/2023
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Barcelona | 56 | 18 | 2 | 1 |
| 2Real Madrid | 48 | 15 | 3 | 3 |
| 3Real Sociedad | 42 | 13 | 3 | 5 |
| Upcoming matches | |
|---|---|
| Osasuna - Real Madrid | S-18/02 15:00 |
| Real Madrid - Atlético de Madrid | S-25/02 12:30 |
| Real Betis - Real Madrid | S-05/03 15:00 |
*Data updated to date Feb 16th, 2023