Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that striker Karim Benzema will not play a part in next week Champions League clash with Atalanta, after he picked up an ankle injury.
Zidane, who confirmed that Real Madrid will not take any risks with Karim Benzema’s fitness, left the French man on the bench as Madrid won 1-0 at Valladolid on Saturday.
Benzema will have a scan on Sunday in a bid to shed light on the severity of the problem, and Zidane’s cautious assessment suggests he will not be fit to face the Serie A side, according to Goal.
“We are not going to take risks with Benzema because the season is long,” Zidane said. “If he is fine, he will be with us. If not, he won’t.
“We are not going to take risks. We never take risks.
“If it was the Champions League final, that is different and we could [take a risk]. If it’s the final game of the Liga season, maybe.
“But there are many games to play, so we won’t take risks. He will have a scan tomorrow and we will see.”
Benzema joined a long list of injured players as Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo Goes, Federico Valverde, Alvaro Odriozola, Eden Hazard, Marcelo and Eder Militao are all on the Physio’s table.
On the wider problem, Zidane said: “It’s true that we have lots of injuries, but we hope to get players back soon.
“We are not happy about it but there is nothing we can do. For now, we have to make do with who we have here and we’re doing that. The players who are available are committed.”
