Real Madrid’s Benzema returns from injury and is ready for Osasuna
After a three-week absence with a knee injury, Frenchman Karim Benzema is available for Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Osasuna on Sunday.
It was a morning of returns at Valdebebas. In addition to the handful of internationals who were back training with Real Madrid after international duty, one player made his long-awaited comeback to training - Karim Benzema, back after three weeks out injured. The French attacker has made good progress in his recovery from the injury he picked up to his right knee in the opening Champions League game of the season against Celtic.
Benzema could start against Osasuna
Manager Carlo Ancelotti may still be without Lucas Vázquez, a serious doubt for Sunday’s game against Osasuna, but could choose to play Benzema from the off. Should the Italian instead opt for caution and ease Benzema back into competitive action more gently from the substitutes’ bench, the next chance for him to return to the starting line-up would be in the Champions League game against Shakhtar on Wednesday, October 5th.
Speaking to club media after the session, Benzema outlined the work he had been doing to return to full fitness: “I’ve done a lot of physical work, I’ve not touched a ball. I was a bit late back from my holidays (in the summer) and didn’t have time to do a good pre-season, which is why I’ve done one now. I’m feeling very good and I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday.”
Up until his injury, Benzema had been the only player in the Real Madrid squad to have played every minute this season, other than goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The clock stopped at 480 minutes, when Ancelotti was forced to take him off in Glasgow because of a swollen knee. The injury caused Benzema to miss three matches, including the derby against Atlético Madrid, and he was unable to play for France in the Nations League during the international break. In six games this season, Benzema has scored four goals, three in LaLiga and one in the European Super Cup.
Other international players return to training
Of the 15 Real Madrid players who were away on international duty, eight are now back in training: Courtois, Eden Hazard, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger. Luka Modric, meanwhile, did some physio work and didn’t train. All played their final games of the international break on either Sunday or Monday.
Andriy Lunin, Dani Carvajal, Marco Asensio, Eder Militão, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Fede Valverde are still to return after being involved in matches on Tuesday night, although neither Asensio nor Militão saw any game time for Spain or Brazil respectively.