Maximum precaution around the jewel of the White House. Real Madrid will face Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals without their striker and captain this Thursday evening. Karim Benzema, victim of a contracture in the left thigh ten days ago, does not appear in the group concocted by the Italian technician Carlo Ancelotti.
For the time being, this absence does not really cause concern twelve days before the long-awaited round of 16 first leg of the Champions League at the Parc des Princes once morest PSG. “The decision is simple: if he feels good, he will play. Otherwise, he will stay at home. We’re not going to take any risks, it’s not a Champions League final, “said the Madrid coach before the composition of the group was communicated. A workforce which, on the other hand, is part of Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale, possibly holders in Bilbao.
After this cup round and before the European clash, there will still be two league games left for the La Liga leader. First on Sunday 6 at home once morest Granada, then on Saturday 12 at Villarreal. Opponents much more affordable on paper than those on the road to PSG.
The Parisians avoided a new round of the Coupe de France in spite of themselves by falling once morest Nice on Monday evening. But they will still have to work in Ligue 1 to beat Lille, on the 6th, then Rennes, on the 11th. The return to competition of Neymar, injured in the left ankle at the end of November, is strongly hoped for this period. That of Sergio Ramos, victim of yet another relapse, seems to him much more hypothetical.
