Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema to be fit to feature vs Liverpool in Champions League
Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, has confirmed that Karim Benzema will be fit to face Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday (15 March).
We will visit Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg of the round of 16. In the first leg, the Spanish giants came to Anfield and scored five past us after the Reds took a two-goal lead.
The French national is set to miss Los Blancos’ upcoming match in La Liga against Espanyol. However, speaking to the media via the Daily Mail, Ancelotti revealed that the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner was recuperating from an ankle injury but would be available next week.
“He will be available for Wednesday’s game. He’s had a knock on his ankle, he’s swollen that ankle, he’s been trying to recover but he’s started training individually today (Friday).”
Benzema signed for Madrid in the summer of 2009. However, initially, he mostly played second-fiddle to the other talent at Los Blancos. But since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, the 35-year-old has taken the mantle.
In the previous campaign, the Spanish giants were in imperial form in the UCL as they made multiple comebacks. The French national was pivotal in their impressive run in Europe against the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Subsequently, Liverpool faced Madrid in the final last season. Los Blancos came out on top on the occasion. Vinicius Junior found the back of the net as Ancelotti’s team won 1-0.
Even without Benzema, the Spanish giants have the likes of Vinicius, Rodrygo and Marco Asensio in the attack. However, the French national is only backed up by Mariano Diaz.
Liverpool have not had the best of campaigns. We were knocked out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. The Premier League title race also looks insurmountable for the Reds. Therefore, the UCL is our only realistic chance at a trophy this season.
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However, Madrid have a formidable advantage going into the second leg. While the 7-0 win over Manchester United will give fans some hope, it remains to be seen whether we can pull off what Los Blancos did in the previous campaign.
