Spanish giants Real Madrid head to England for their all-important first leg clash with Manchester City in the Champions League. Unfortunately for the 10-time winners, there remain doubts over the fitness of two Los Blancos stars: Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
The Portuguese and French attackers fell to injuries in the club’s last two games, with Ronaldo picking up his knock on Wednesday, and Benzema in Saturday’s narrow 3-2 win. Pain in the thigh was the culprit for the two, with either of them yet to return to full fitness.
However, according to Marca, manager Zinedine Zidane remains confident that both players will be ready in time for the Etihad clash, with the French legend naming both players in the squad for the Manchester trip. However, neither is tipped to start Tuesday’s game.
The report claims that the 31-year-old Ballon d’Or winner will likely start from the bench, and will be brought on late into the game with the hopes of exploiting the former Man United winger’s fresh legs and speed.
Benzema, on the other hand, reportedly has less chances of featuring on Tuesday than Cristiano having been withdrawn in the first half of their weekend win in La Liga. Nonetheless, the Spanish publication writes that the Les Bleues international confided in his close friends that his request to be substituted on Saturday was nothing more than a precaution.
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