Karim Benzema’s significance to Real Madrid can’t be understated. The veteran forward, who enjoyed a career year in 2021/22, continues to lead Los Blancos’ line with the utmost majesty.
Benzema’s relationship with emerging superstar Vinicius Junior played a pivotal role in the club’s stellar campaign last time out as they embarked on a miraculous journey to Champions League glory.
The Frenchman saved his best football for the biggest moments, and Carlo Ancelotti needs his savvy striker to replicate last season’s brilliance if Real are to impressively defend their crown.
Their quest begins at Liverpool in the first leg of their round of 16 tie, but there’s no guarantee that Benzema will be fit to start Tuesday’s highly-anticipated encounter.
Benzema sustained what has been described in the Spanish media as ‘slight discomfort’ during Real’s 4-0 thumping of Elche in La Liga last Wednesday.
The Frenchman scored twice from the spot but ended the match with a limp and his knock hampered him at training on Thursday. There’s no information on what exactly the issue is, but the club opted to rest the 36-year-old for the weekend’s trip to Osasuna.
The Italian is hopeful Benzema will be fit to play at Anfield. Ahead of the clash against Osasuna, Ancelotti said: “Karim won’t be here tomorrow [Saturday]. He has a bit of fatigue and hopefully he will be on Tuesday.
“After the World Cup he [Benzema] has done very well. He has scored in almost every game. And he is not injured: we simply prefer, because of his age, to give him rest.
“We don’t want to take risks with Benzema because he is tired and it can be risky. If tomorrow’s opponent was Liverpool, he wouldn’t play either,” he added.
While Benzema has had a mountain of injury problems this season, there’s little to suggest his latest setback will keep him out of Tuesday’s trip to Anfield.
The Frenchman was merely rested at the weekend and it’s unlikely that ‘muscular fatigue’ will rule him out of the first leg against Liverpool. He’ll be there leading the line.