After Real Madrid’s victory over Cadiz (0-2) on Saturday evening, Carlo Ancelotti praised Karim Benzema, before announcing that he would be « ready » to play the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday against Chelsea.
After going through tough times this season due to repeated injuries, Karim Benzema is back to his best at the best of times. Scorer against Chelsea this week in the Champions League, the former Lyonnais this time remained silent in Cadiz (0-2 victory for Real), Saturday evening in La Liga. But the « Nueve », established by Carlo Ancelotti who had decided to rotate his workforce this weekend, delivered a new big performance.
At the end of the meeting, Carlo Ancelotti said all the good he had done with his tricolor striker, whom he did not dare to leave as long as he was happy to see him on the field. “There is a 35-year-old player (Benzema, editor’s note) who played a fantastic match on Wednesday evening (against Chelsea in C1, editor’s note), and who is playing another fantastic match 3 days later. Karim is the signal that the team is doing very well physically”, so named the italy coach, conquered by the performance of the Ballon d’Or 2022.
“You will benefit from your talent”
« Before the game, I told him I was putting it on and I was going to take him out when he was tired, but I felt it so good, so fresh, continued Carlo Ancelotti. And he too was a little sad not to have scored, but his combinations with Rodrygo in front are spectacular, it was a real pleasure to see him play. I had a hard time getting him out because I still wanted to take advantage of his talent on the pitch. »
Delighted with the return to form of his number 9, the Madrid coach has already warned Chelsea, which the Merengues will find on Tuesday evening in the quarter-final return of the Champions League (2-0 victory for Real in the first leg) . “The team is physically fit, as shown by Karim, who is ready for Tuesday. » The Blues know what to expect.
