Karim Benzema is not having his best year at Real Madrid. After an immaculate season, Ballon d’Or included, its performance has suffered significantlyand the injuries have been happening to weigh down his regularity even more.

The last of them, some ankle discomfort that worry the French striker, caused him to be absent from Real Madrid’s last training session in Valdebebas, and finally they will prevent him from playing against Espanyol this Saturday (2:00 p.m.) in the League. In return, Ferland Mendy and Mariano Díaz returned to the group dynamics.

Carlo Ancelotti, like the merengue captain, does not want to take any risk with Benzemawho has always been very cautious with this type of bumps and bruises, although will miss the fourteenth game of this seasona figure of absences that is clearly exorbitant and excessive, taking into account that he is the best player in the world.

“Benzema is going to be important in what remains, this has been a blow, it can happen“assured the Italian coach at the press conference prior to the clash against the ‘parrots’. “Emotionally it will be fine. Like everyone. We think we can still play a lot of cards in the League, the Champions League and the Cup” added Ancelotti, who also left clues about Benzema’s future at Madrid: “I am clear about what will happen with Benzema next year, but I am not a magician“.

“It is inevitable that his absence affects us. Last season he scored a lot of goals. He hasn’t reached that level yet.. In the second part of the season Karim has done his thing. It’s going to be important. Tomorrow is something that can happen” reiterated ‘Carletto’, who confirmed that he has the French attacker for the second round of the Champions League, on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu against Liverpool.

Returning to Saturday, the option that most convinces the Italian is that of Rodrygo as ‘9’: “Tomorrow he will be a center forward. He has to play where the team needs him. Sometimes it is better to put your quality on the outside, other times it is better between the lines. Depends. It’s very good, that’s what you have to take advantage of“.

Even so, he did not rule out the presence of alvaro rodriguez in the eleven, or as a revulsive from the bench, and took the opportunity to praise his recent impact on the team: “Yes, is ready to be a starter. She has no experience, but no one does when starting something. He has the quality to start playing, yes.”

The loss of the French striker against Espanyol adds to others that were already confirmed, such as that of the Austrian defender david praises, who continued this Friday with the recovery from his injury. On the other hand, a capital footballer in defense like Ferland Mendy has already returned to the group dynamic, after a month and a half in dry dock. Along with him, Mariano Díaz will be available again, although it does not seem that Ancelotti is going to give him a single minute in the remainder of the season.