Karim Benzema won’t be playing for Real Madrid against rival Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby, manager Carlo Ancelotti announced on Saturday.
The French attacker was hoped to be healthy after missing the team’s last two games due to a thigh ailment, but he did not work out with the group on Saturday.
Ancelotti stated at a press conference prior to Sunday’s derby at the Wanda Metropolitano that “Benzema will not make the game.”
“He has started to work individually. To be prepared to return when La Liga resumes, he will remain here during the international break.
The player Vinicius Junior performed dancing goal celebrations throughout Spain that some people found offensive, and the coach refrained from participating in that discussion. As his coach, Ancelotti said, “I am just him. I’m not his brother or his parent. With the excitement and satisfaction he is feeling, he is playing football.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak will return to action for Atletico Madrid after missing Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League loss at Bayer Leverkusen and Saturday’s 4-1 La Liga victory over Celta Vigo due to injury.
Simeone stated his team is capable of defeating their adversaries, who have won all eight of their games across all competitions, and that the Slovenians were prepared to play.