Real Madrid hopeful Benzema will return for 1st leg against PSG
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti on Friday said he is optimistic Karim Benzema can recover in time to play against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last-16 first-leg match on Tuesday.
Carlo Ancelotti confirms that Karim Benzema will play against PSG π pic.twitter.com/uegxkuwj3M
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Benzema’s absence would be a huge blow to Real Madrid given the Frenchman has scored 27 goals in 33 games for them so far this season.
He has missed Madrid’s last two matches with a hamstring injury and will also sit out Saturday’s visit to Villarreal in La Liga.
Ancelotti said the 34-year-old is still training alone and is expected to resume work with the team on either Sunday or Monday ahead of the crunch first leg in Paris.
π΄ποΈ ππππ | Listen to @MrAncelotti's press conference ahead of #VillarrealRealMadrid! https://t.co/JyfTiE4nIK
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“What we have are good feelings,” said Ancelotti in a press conference on Friday.
“He continues to work individually.
π @Benzema π pic.twitter.com/9p0o1hLHQU
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“We have to wait for him to start training with the team, and he will do that on Sunday or Monday. Then, we will make the decision.
“So far I can’t say anything, but the feelings of everyone – his, mine and those of the doctors – are good.”
Ancelotti said he would not push Benzema back before he is ready.
“Risk does not exist. If we think that Karim can play, he will play safely. If there is even a minimal risk, he will not play,” Ancelotti said.