Real Madrid superstar and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema is a doubt for Celtic’s trip to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, according to a report in the Spanish press.
The French striker limped off after half an hour in the Group F opener in Glasgow and has missed six games in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this season, mostly with muscle injuries.
The former Lyon star crowned the best season of his career with the Champions League in May, and lifted the Ballon d’Or this month for the first time, but he will not get the opportunity to add a goal against Celtic to his six so far this season.
According to SPORT, Benzema missed Madrid’s training session today of tomorrow’s game against Girona at the Bernabeu, and is a significant doubt for Wednesday’s game.
The same report suggests that Brazilian forward Rodrygo is also a doubt for both games for the La Liga and Champions League holders, and also missed training.
Despite being doubts after missing Wednesday’s loss to RB Leipzig, Federico Valverde and Luka Modric completed training today and will be fit at least for tomorrow’s game barring any late recurrences, Dani Ceballos is also available again for Los Blancos after missing close to a month with a knock.
Key injuries for both teams ahead of Champions League dead rubber
Though Real Madrid still require a win against Ange Postecoglou’s side to secure top spot in Group F, at this point, Wednesday’s game means little to both sides in the context of their seasons.
Given that both Celtic and Madrid look to be shorn of their respective talismans in Callum McGregor and Benzema, as well as key forwards in Jota and Rodrygo, both sides will do well to avoid sustaining any further injuries in their group stage closer.
It’s feasible that both sides will have eyes on the two league fixtures surrounding Wednesday’s game, which are now of greater importance to Scotland and Spain’s respective champions.
Thought it’s been a disappointing Champions League campaign for Celtic in terms of results, the experience of playing in the group stage again after a significant absence should set Postecoglou’s side in good stead for further participation in the coming seasons, and playing against sides of Madrid’s calibre simply adds to that experience.
In other news: Livingston star enjoys “funny” Champions League oddity ahead of critical Celtic showdown
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