The forward, who has 17 goals this season, missed Saturday’s win over Valladolid on account of an ankle injury
Zinedine Zidane has insisted Real Madrid will not take any risks with Karim Benzema’s fitness.
The forward sat out Madrid’s 1-0 win at Valladolid on Saturday on account of an ankle injury and is a doubt for the clash with Atalanta in the Champions League next week.
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.
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What was said?
“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.”
Real’s injury problems
Benzema joined a long list of injuries Zidane is having to manage.
Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo Goes, Federico Valverde, Alvaro Odriozola, Eden Hazard, Marcelo and Eder Militao are all in the treatment room and unlikely to be fit to face Atalanta.
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.”
Further reading
- Zidane gives verdict on Mbappe and Haaland
- Bale still loves Madrid and wants return – agent
