Benzema doubt for City clash, Real confirm hamstring injury

Matt Stead

Real Madrid have confirmed Karim Benzema has suffered a right hamstring injury but have given no estimation on how long the France striker might be sidelined for.

Madrid said in a statement that Benzema’s recovery “will continue to be assessed”, and it now remains to be seen if the 28-year-old will be fit for next week’s Champions League semi-final second leg with Manchester City.

Benzema played the first half of Tuesday’s goalless first leg at the Etihad but was withdrawn at half-time and now looks likely to miss Saturday’s Primera Division trip to Real Sociedad at the very least.

A medical statement on www.realmadrid.com read: “Following tests carried out today on the player Karim Benzema at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his right hamstring. His recovery will continue to be assessed.”

Benzema’s injury is another blow to Real boss Zinedine Zidane, who is also sweating on Cristiano Ronaldo’s thigh injury.