UEFA Champions League

UEFA Champions League: Why is Karim Benzema not playing for Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig?

Real Madrid will host RB Leipzig on Wednesday, September 14 for Matchday 2 of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League group stage. However,Karim Benzema won't take part of it.

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid
© Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty ImagesKarim Benzema of Real Madrid

Real Madrid had a blast last season as they clinchedbothLa Liga and Champions League titles. So, for this 2022-23 season, Los Blancoare on their way to repeat both championships. That’s whywhen important players such as Karim Benzema missa game, the alarms go offfor the coaching staff.

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However, Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid, didn’t hesitate that much as the other 22 players on his squad have backed up him last matchday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. In fact, they won over 4-1 over Mallorca, to wipe out thequestions about their perfomance without the UEFA Men’s player of the last season.

So, now Real Madrid have a new test in a Champions League game to prove they have what it takes to win without their best striker in the team. In fact, Eden Hazard or Rodrygo appear to be the possible replacements for Karim Benzema’s position on the pitch for this game.

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Why is Karim Benzema not playing for Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig?

Karim Benzema wasReal Madrid’s best player for last season. In fact, he scored47goals, and made 14 assists as a Los Blancos playerin all competitions. That’s why every time he has the slightest nuisance, everyone at Valdebebasstart to worry.

That’s what happened when after just 30 minutes of playat Celtics’ homeCeltic Parkin Glasgow, Karim Benzema feltsomething on his knee. Then, he was subbed off with an uncertainmedical evaluationabout his condition.

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Right after the game, Real Madrid issued a statementsaying, “he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle and an overload on the quadriceps, both in the right leg.” Then, later reportsrevealed he was most likely to miss at least three weeks. Finally he missedlast La Liga match, and will miss this Champions League matchup, and possibly the next Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid.

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