Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar missed team training today due to muscle fatigue – report
With the all-important FIFA World Cup just around the corner, both clubs and players are extra cautious of potential injuries. Though Real Madrid have not faced many injury woes in the first phase of the season, one player who has struggled with fitness is Karim Benzema.
According to reports from MARCA, the Frenchman did not train today owing to muscular fatigue. Given the player’s fitness troubles this year and the hectic schedule, it is clear why he chose to train indoors in the gym facilities.
Of the team’s 12 La Liga games so far this season, the striker has only appeared in seven. In that duration, he has scored five goals and provided one assist. However, he has failed to open his account in Europe so far, failing to find the back of the net in four appearances.
He came off the bench for the final 27 minutes in Real Madrid’s last game against Celtic but missed one big chance and had two shots on target denied. Despite his relatively poor form in front of the goal, he has been invaluable on other fronts.
As the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, Benzema will look to help France defend their World Cup title in Qatar later this month. As it stands, he is a doubt for Real Madrid’s game against Rayo Vallecano tomorrow but the plan is for him to train with the group tomorrow.
One hopes that the French striker will be back in time for the team’s match against Cadiz before they disperse for their respective national teams.
Apart from Benzema, Rudiger also did not train with the team today and he is termed as a ‘serious doubt’ for Monday’s clash against Rayo.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
