Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted striker Karim Benzema could still feature against Getafe on Saturday, despite failing to train with the team on Friday.
The veteran striker missed three games before the international break with a muscle injury but has since played twice for Real, playing the full 90 minutes against both Osasuna and Shakhtar Donetsk without managing to grab a goal.
There had been concerns that Benzema may not have fully recovered from his injury and those were compounded by the revelation that the 34-year-old was training away from the group the day before the upcoming game.
Asked about Benzema’s involvement against Getafe, Ancelotti said: “He has played two games in a row after a month out and he is a bit loaded.
“He is not ruled out [against Getafe} and if he is well, he will play.
“I think he has had this injury that slowed him down a bit, but I still see the usual Karim. We are not worried about anything in this regard. He is doing and is going to do what he always does, really.”
Nevertheless, a handful of outlets in Spain have reported that Benzema will be rested for Saturday’s game, with Rodrygo expected to take his place at the top of the team.
“Rodrygo is an intelligent person,” Ancelotti said of the Brazilian. “Very calm, takes his work seriously, mature but still very young.”
Ancelotti was even asked whether Real view Manchester City’s Erling Haaland as a possible replacement for Benzema, but the boss was in no mood to discuss the speculation.
“I’m not talking about Haaland,” Ancelotti said bluntly.
