Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar unlikely to play vs Osasuna, will not be risked before Liverpool
In a major update, journalist Alberto Pereiro of Onda Cero is reporting that Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema is unlikely to play against CA Osasuna this weekend.
The 35-year-old scored a brace as Los Blancos thumped Elche to a 4-0 win on Wednesday night. However, as per the update, the Frenchman finished the game with slight discomfort.
With Real Madrid set to face Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League next week, the reigning Spanish and European champions do not wish to risk their captain ahead of such an important encounter.
Thus, Benzema is unlikely to feature in Pamplona this weekend as the Merengues lock horns with Osasuna.
Benzema has had a number of injury and fitness concerns this season. He has missed as many as 11 matches across all competitions with physical problems and Real Madrid have not always been able to shine in his injury-enforced absence even though Rodrygo has done fairly well as backup.
So far this term, Benzema has played 22 matches in all competitions and has produced a return of 14 goals and four assists.
Benzema is not the only player likely to miss the match against Osasuna as Toni Kroos is yet to recover from his gastroenteritis and is a serious doubt for the clash.
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 Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.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.
