UCL: Benzema could be back for Madrid derby, Ancelotti assures
Karim Benzema will miss Real Madrid’s next two games but could return for the derby with Atletico Madrid, according to club coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Benzema came off with a knee injury during Real Madrid’s 3-0 win at Celtic in the opening group game of the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
As a result, it had been feared he would miss a significant period as a result.
However, Ancelotti appeared to allay those fears at a press conference on Saturday ahead of Los Blancos’ game with Real Mallorca on Sunday.
He said the France international might be back in just over a week.
After Real Mallorca, Real Madrid host RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League before making the short trip to face rivals Atletico Madrid next Sunday.
“We will not force Benzema,” Real Madrid coach Ancelotti said. “He will certainly not play against RB Leipzig. But then we will see for the derby.
“If he can’t play then [against Atletico Madrid], he won’t go to France [for the international break].”
Benzema was replaced after 30 minutes at Parkhead by Eden Hazard, who went on to score the third goal in the victory.
The Belgian will likely fill the centre-forward spot against Real Mallorca.
Ancelotti does not want him to play like Benzema, though, saying: “Hazard did well coming on against Celtic. I’m going to put him in again on Sunday. Hopefully, he can repeat a great game.
“I don’t expect [Hazard] to play like Benzema, but I want him to play well and to connect with the other forwards.”
Ancelotti has made it clear that there is no replacement for Benzema, with alternative options providing different strengths in the final third.
Hebsingled out Vinicius Jr – who has scored in each of his last four Real Madrid appearances – for praise.
He said, “We don’t have Karim, and because he is the best striker in the world, there is no substitute for him on the market.
“But he can be replaced with other players with different characteristics.
“Vinicius is getting more consistent in finishing, in scoring goals. It is difficult for him to fail in front of the goal. There, he has improved a lot.
“I want to emphasise that he continues to maintain a good attitude, with a lot of humility, work. He wants to improve every day.”
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
GTCO, First HoldCo crash in 2026 banking rankings; Zenith, Access buck slide
Zenith Bank and Access have outperformed GTCO, First HoldCo and some of Africa’s biggest financial institutions in the newly released 2026 edition of the 300 Finance Champions.
Africa
15-old-old Ghanaian boy shot dead on way to school in U.S.
The grieving father said his late son moved to the U.S. from Ghana a year ago.
Anti-Corruption
INEC admits electoral officials tampered with Nigeria’s voter register
INEC admitted that its officials tampered with the voter register nationwide using AI-generated photos.
Economy
Real estate businessman allegedly dies by suicide after releasing video about family, business
“I am doing this video on behalf of my family. I, Akinbolusere Kayode, am doing my will on my properties. I am doing this on my own; nobody put pressure on me,” said the realtor.
Africa
Luanda to overtake Lagos as Sub-Saharan Africa’s most populous city by 2050: World Bank
Angola’s capital, Luanda, could surpass Lagos as Sub-Saharan Africa’s most populous city by 2050, according to a recent World Bank report.
Abuja
UN warns outer space arms race worsening
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs has warned that growing military competition in outer space threatens international peace and security.
