Liga: ten days before the shock against PSG, Benzema still forfeited with Real Madrid

What if Karim Benzema missed Real Madrid's first leg against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16?

The French striker is not there, but his consecutive packages do not inspire confidence, ten days before the meeting between the two cadors of European football.

Already preserved Thursday evening against Athletic Bilbao, in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup (1-0 defeat), the tricolor jewel and captain of the White House is again not included in the Madrid group, which hosts Granada on Sunday in Liga (9 p.m., 23rd day).

The French side Ferland Mendy (adductors) will not be present either, Vinicius is suspended.

📋✅ ¡Nuestros convocados para el #RealMadridGranada!

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— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) February 5, 2022

On January 23 against Elche (2-2), Benzema came out shortly before the hour mark, holding the back of his left thigh.

If he suffered from a simple contracture in the hamstring, the situation of the 34-year-old striker initially did not give cause for concern.

But the French international (94 caps, 36 goals), expected against Bilbao, was ultimately unable to hold his place.

“We have won games without him before”

Karim Benzema will therefore miss a second consecutive meeting. Asked at a press conference about the absence of his best element as Paris looms, Carlo Ancelotti, however, wanted to be reassuring. "He's been training for several days but he doesn't feel good enough, we still have to wait two or three days. He will be there for the next match (against Villarreal), ”said the Italian technician.

Before gauging the damage caused by his absence for Real Madrid.

“He is the top scorer in La Liga (17 goals in 21 matches), has scored many goals this season (24 in 28 matches in all competitions).

Any team, if they had Benzema and missed him, would notice his absence.

But we have also won games without him before, like against Inter Milan, Real Sociedad or Elche.

It can be replaced.

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The use of Benzema against Villarreal - holder or substitute - next Saturday, three days before Madrid's trip to Paris, will probably give a first indication of his participation against PSG at the Parc des Princes on February 15 (9 p.m.).