BENZEMA MOVING ON?

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been linked with a move away from the club after failing to hit the heights of last season in terms of goals. Madrid manager José Mourinho recently said that the lack of support for Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the main reasons for the team not being able to challenge on the domestic front with Barcelona. Ronaldo has more or less managed to score the same number of goals last season, but strikers like Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain have been disappointing in terms of goalscoring records. Despite this, the French international does not want to leave the Santiago Bernabeu.

He has said through his agent Karim Djaziri that he intends to stay at the Spanish club. A recent comment by Real Madrid general manager Jose Angel Sanchez appeared to confirm the same. Higuain is expected to be sold in the summer rather than Benzema. The French international is a £ 35 million signing from Lyon. He did not manage to make a huge impact in his first season at the club, but since then he has been one of the best players at the club. The 25-year-old has two more years left on his contract, but it is understood that Madrid are willing to open negotiations.

“In a big club like Real Madrid, it is assumed there is space for two or three high-level No.9s. It was Benzema and Higuain. Higuain will go, Benzema will stay, and two others will arrive. As I have already said on numerous occasions, and I will never get tired of repeating it, my client will not be leaving Madrid. (Jose) Mourinho’s potential departure does not change anything. A transfer is out of the question,” said Benzema’s agent. Thus, he has also dispelled rumours that Benzema will follow Mourinho out of the club.

SEMI FINALS

The Real Madrid manager José Mourinho managed to put behind the disappointing performances in the league campaign to at least qualify for the semi-final of the Copa del Rey after the 2-0 victory over Valencia. Real Madrid have been extremely poor in the league this season, and they have already fallen 15 points behind the leaders Barcelona in the table. There have been a lot of stories of the unrest within the dressing room, but Mourinho has made it clear that he would like to 10th European trophy for the Spanish club before leaving. The return leg between the two clubs will be taking place in a week’s time.

The French striker Karim Benzema opened the scoring after just 37 min on the clock. Karim Benzema was one of the best strikers for the club last season, but he has suffered from a poor run of form this time around. He has managed to score just five goals in 16 appearances for the club in all competitions. As a result, they have been extremely reliant on the goals from the Portuguese attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, which has been one of the reasons for their failing this season. Yet, Benzema demonstrated his importance to the team with the goal. The own goal from Guardado in the second half was enough to seal the victory.

This victory gives Real Madrid a commanding position going into the second leg. They will be having a match against Valencia once again in between. This match will be taking place in the league. Valencia will be looking for an immediate revenge from the match, which will also help their chances of moving up the table. The club are several points away from challenging for the top four position, which will provide Champions league football next season.

BENZEMA RULED OUT

Real Madrid have been struggling in the league this season and they have been dealt another blow with the injury to the star striker Karim Benzema, who will be left out of the squad that will face Espanyol during the weekend. Real Madrid have fallen 11 points behind the leaders Barcelona in the la Liga table, which means that they have started focusing their attention on other cup competitions. Real Madrid have already won the Copa del Rey under the guidance of José Mourinho, but they will face an uphill task in the second leg of the last 16 round against Celta de Vigo after the 1-1 draw.

Even though the second leg is at the Santiago Bernabeu, the last-minute goal from Cristiano Ronaldo will prove to be extremely crucial in a tie. More than the match, the disappointment would be with the injury news for Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has been having a difficult time with injuries this season. This time, he has suffered an ankle injury in the second half. He suffered the injury under contract from no one and this leaves Real Madrid short of players up front for the coming league matches. They will face Espanyol during the weekend. Even though Espanyol are in a bad run of form, they will certainly pose a difficult proposition according to Mourinho.

“I think it was an ankle problem, but I have not thought about it yet. Varane was a champion because he got injured and stayed on the pitch. He did more injured than some who were not injured. He did his work as a centre-forward because he could not sprint and play as a defender. Leaving Morata out was my decision. That is why I am here, to make decisions. Sometimes they go well, sometimes badly,” said Mourinho.