Benzema to miss Espanyol game, expected back for Liverpool
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.99/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/03/2023 (1034 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
MADRID (AP) — Karim Benzema will miss Saturday’s Spanish league match against Espanyol because of an ankle injury, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Friday, adding that the French striker should be ready to play upcoming games against Liverpool and Barcelona.
“(Benzema) has a knock on his ankle and it has swollen,” Ancelotti said. “He has trained individually today and he will be ready for the game against Liverpool.”
Madrid hosts Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday with a 5-2 advantage from the first leg of the round of 16. The team will then visit Barcelona on March 19 in a “clásico” that will have an impact on the Spanish title chase.
Benzema has been plagued by minor injuries this season, which comes after a stellar 2021-22 campaign when he led Madrid to the European Cup and Spanish league title after scoring 44 goals. That earned him the Ballon d’Or award for best player.
The 35-year-old Benzema has missed 12 games so far for Madrid, as well as the World Cup for France, because of injuries this season. He played the full 90 minutes against Real Betis in a 0-0 draw on Sunday.
Ancelotti said his team has missed having its best player available for more games.
“I believe it is inevitable that this hurts us because Karim is so important for us, especially after his performances last season,” Ancelotti said. “But we have yet to reach the important part of the season. We are confident he will be there to help us.”
Rodrygo will replace Benzema in the starting lineup against Espanyol, the coach said.
Madrid trails Barcelona by nine points in the Spanish league. Barcelona visits Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Ancelotti also said he expected injured defender Ferland Mendy to be ready in time for the game against Liverpool.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports