Karim Benzema will be back in Real Madrid’s starting line-up on Sunday, and Carlo Ancelotti is expecting big things from his captain.
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Karim Benzema will start against Osasuna on Sunday and backed the Real Madrid captain to get back to his “spectacular” best.
Benzema has been out for three weeks with a knee injury but will be in action this weekend in the Champions League’s first game after the international break at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The French striker has scored four goals in six games for Los Blancos this season after an outstanding 2021-22 campaign.
Benzema found the back of the net a staggering 44 times last season as Madrid secured a famous Champions League and LaLiga double.
Head coach Ancelotti expects the Ballon d’Or favorite to reach those heights again after recovering from an early season injury.
“Benzema is doing very well, he will start the game,” he said. “He was with the team all week. His physical condition is good because he was able to recover well and work well afterwards.
When it was pointed out to Ancelotti that Benzema did not look like the same player he was last season, the Italian replied: “Well, it’s true that he hasn’t scored in the last few games – he hasn’t scored because he hasn’t played.
“There is nothing different with Karim, he trains very well. Maybe if he didn’t have a problem in the pre-season, he wouldn’t have acted like this, but after this injury and time, he didn’t play anymore.” I am absolutely sure that we will see the same Karim Benzema that we saw last season, a great player.”
Ancelotti has revealed that midfielder Luka Modric will not face Osasuna and could also miss Wednesday’s Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk.
He said: “Modric has a slight injury, not too serious. I’m not sure he’ll make it until Wednesday. He’ll train on Monday, we’ll see how he feels. If he’s not fit for Wednesday, he’ll play next time.” weekend [at Getafe].”
Ancelotti plans to make the most of the options available to him with such a hectic schedule ahead of the World Cup.
“It’s an important moment with many games in a short time,” he said. “Liga, Champions [League]… We have to think that the substitutions would be important because we play every three days. Everyone gives and gives their quality and commitment.”
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