Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelloti has given an update on Karim Benzema’s fitness ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League knockout tie against Liverpool.
Ancelloti spoke to the press ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture with Osasuna at the weekend and was questioned about Benzema’s current condition.
Ancelloti replied, “Karim won’t be here tomorrow. He has a bit of fatigue and hopefully he will be on Tuesday. [Toni] Kroos won’t be here either because of flu but [Thibaut] Courtois and [Eden] Hazard are back.”
Ancelloti will be hopeful that Benzema might make an appearance from the bench if he is not quite match fit to start the game against Liverpool.
Benzema has had several injuries this season but it hasn’t hindered his goal-scoring, with the Frenchman scoring 16 goals this campaign.
Ancelloti continued;
“After the World Cup he (Benzema) has done very well. He has scored in almost every game. And he is not injured: we simply prefer, because of his age, to give him rest.”
“We don’t want to take risks with Benzema because he is tired and it can be risky. If tomorrow’s opponent was Liverpool, he wouldn’t play either.”
Liverpool will be out for revenge after their loss to Madrid in last year’s Champions League final. Real have fallen 8 points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race and may view the Champion League as their chance of winning major trophy.
Liverpool are 9th in the Premier League table and have been knocked out of both domestic cups. The Champions League is also their only chance at bagging a major honour.
