Football

Real Madrid’s dilemma. Should we let the injured Benzema go until El Clásico or save him for more important games?

Sunday’s El Clásico is coming up and there is a big dilemma in the Valdebebas offices. To let the injured Karim Benzema play or not to risk a more serious injury and keep him for the more important games?

Published

3 years ago

19. 3. 2022

David Beňo

Karim Benzema is undoubtedly Real Madrid’s best player this season and their biggest workhorse. In 34 games he has already scored 32 goals, adding 13 assists. Los Blancos incredible hat-trick shot them through to the Champions League quarter-finals via PSG, he is also the top scorer in La Liga.

He scored 2 goals in Monday’s match in Mallorca, but limped off with a calf injury just before the end. He then spent the whole week preparing individually and did not train with the team. Reports about his health were rather sceptical, with some sources saying that his condition would not be risked, while Carlo Ancelotti said he would wait until the last minute.

The French marksman underwent tests on Friday that were supposed to decide his start in El Clásico. But it still looks like Benzema will not start against Barcelona on Sunday night.

Clearly, El Clásico is still the biggest game and Ancelotti would surely be happy to welcome his top scorer to the match against his biggest rival. But, hand on heart, it’s not a crucial game for Real at the moment. They have a comfortable ten-point lead at the top of the table, with an even 15 points on Barcelona. So a possible loss won’t do much.

Real Madrid need to have Benzema healthy for the Champions League quarter-finals, which are scheduled for early April. That’s why, according to the latest reports from Madrid, the Merengues are not expected to risk Benzema’s health deteriorating and he should not start El Clásico, at least not in the starting lineup.

However, his start in El Clásico is definitely not out of the question. If Friday’s tests go well and the medical team give him the green light, Benzema will do everything he can to start at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Source: Marca, Twitter