Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is a major doubt for the Spanish giants Champions League semi-final, second leg against Manchester City on Wednesday after Madrid confirmed he is suffering from a hamstring strain.
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If you are going to have a draw at home, which is not a bad things against Real Madrid, then 0-0 is the best result. As I said before the game, we have the same option as Real Madrid. “I think the players, Jese and Lucas, who came in did a very good job”.
Not Ronaldo. Indeed, the Portugal worldwide was snapped watching a clip on Gary Lineker’s Instagram feed of himself gesturing to the travelling supporters upon arrival. Benzema, meanwhile, was replace at half-time during the game against City after he had already arrived to the Manchester with a muscular problem, having also unable to complete the previous game with Rayo.
“It is quite tough for him to recover in one week”, Pellegrini said.
While a place in the Champions League final is a big priority for Zidane, he also has hit sights set on challenging Barcelona for the league title.
Both Ronaldo and Benzema are nursing right leg injuries. They controlled most of the first half, but failed to create many meaningful chances. We have the second leg at home, but it’s 50:50. “We will go to the Bernabeu and there will be more space, Real Madrid must attack a little bit more”. But that can last seven days, six days, three days.
Pellegrini claimed that his side had shown the “most intent to win the game” and that Madrid had arrived at the Etihad Stadium “with a result in mind”. I hope both are at 100 per cent, but I can not guarantee anything.
Madrid’s medical department will oversee his recovery, but the club hasn’t released a medical report with information on the issue.
Zidane said: “We know what we have to do”.
“We thought they would play a slow game, that’s why we pressed very well, we worked as a team to have the ball”. I’ll wait for the next game.
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If City want to avoid a penalty shootout in Madrid then they will have to score and key man Sergio Aguero – who hasn’t managed a shot on target in his side’s last four Champions League matches – will have to improve.
