Real Madrid News
Ancelotti to rest Benzema for Getafe vs Real Madrid, striker not in training today – report
According to Jose Luis Sanchez, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has decided to rest star striker Karim Benzema for their upcoming game against Getafe.
The 34-year-old superstar only recently returned from an injury layoff and has looked a bit scratchy in front of goal in the last two matches against Osasuna and Shakhtar Donetsk.
With a crucial week ahead for Los Blancos, it seems like the manager has decided to keep his ace goalscorer fresh and not risk any injuries by using him in the game against Getafe tomorrow.
Earlier today, journalist Arancha Rodriguez had reported that the French international had not participated in team training with the rest of the group. While it had led to some concerns within fans, it was soon clarified that the 34-year-old was not injured, but was being rested.
Real Madrid play Shakhtar Donetsk again next week in the Champions League. A win there would guarantee them progression into the quarterfinals. After that, the huge El Clasico against Barcelona awaits at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With both teams neck to neck in the La Liga title race, the outcome of that match will have major repercussions. Hence, it seems like Ancelotti has made the decision to not risk Benzema ahead of two major fixtures.
During his injury-enforced absence prior to the international break, Real Madrid had coped well as the likes of Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde stepped up and carried the goalscoring burden.
And Ancelotti will once again look to the trio to deliver the goods when his team takes the pitch against Getafe this weekend.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
