Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach of Real Madrid, has refuted suggestions that Karim Benzema is unavailable for club action in order to keep him fit for the World Cup.
The France international is set to represent the defending champions in Qatar, but he comes into the tournament with little experience, having last played against Elche on October 19.
These fitness issues will keep Benzema out of Thursday’s trip to Cadiz, Madrid’s final game before Qatar 2022, where they will look to rebound from a surprise defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Monday..
Benzema’s recent absence has not raised any concerns that he will be missing for France, leading to speculation that he is simply being rested to avoid injury ahead of the tournament..
Ancelotti, however, denied this.
“It has bothered me that he has not been able to help us with his quality – he has tried, but he has not been able to recover from this minor thing, so he is not available,” Ancelotti said at a press conference on Wednesday..
I’m not required to say anything to anyone. The first person to be disappointed is Karim, who arrives at the World Cup without the necessary minutes to be in good shape.
“I do not believe he has been rested; it is ridiculous.” He has not stopped; he has trained alone, but his feelings were not positive.
“It means he’ll arrive at the World Cup with only a few minutes in him.”
When asked if Benzema’s World Cup participation was ever in doubt, Ancelotti replied, “No, apart from that big injury against Celtic, it’s been two minor things.”
Madrid’s defeat last time out leaves them five points behind leaders Barcelona, albeit with a game in hand, and Ancelotti cited a drop in intensity as the reason for his team’s decline.
“If you lower your intensity against teams that do not play in Europe, like Rayo, they can be at a higher level than the rest,” he added.
“It’s less noticeable when you’re playing against European teams..
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