Another setback to Karim Benzema’s health

The performances of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior. will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Real Madrid’s success for the duration of this season.

The former still has 16 goals in 24 games, but he hasn’t been as effective as the Ballon d’Or-winning season last year. Unfortunately, injuries have often forced him to miss time throughout his season.

This season, Benzema has missed 12 games due to ailments due to no less than seven different injuries. In light of claims from Melchor Ruiz that the 35-year-old was not present for the whole of training on Wednesday, the match against Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, might add to that total.

In what may be another setback for Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is already playing without David Alaba and Ferland Mendy in defense, Antonio Rudiger was also absent from the group practice at Valdebabas.

Ancelotti may decide to rest the duo against Espanyol in order to have them at 100% fitness ahead of the Champions League last 16 second leg against Liverpool on next Wednesday since vital matches against Liverpool and Barcelona are coming up in the next 10 days.