Speaking after Real Madrid’s 3-2 win against Chelsea on Saturday, midfielder Casemiro expressed his concerns about Karim Benzema’s absence from pre-season preparations.
Los Blancos are warming up for the 2016/17 season in the USA where they play three matches in the International Champions Cup friendly tournament. The Champions League winners lost the opening game 3-1 against PSG in Columbus, Ohio before finding the winning groove in Anna Arbor, Michigan yesterday.
Benzema has missed both games due to a hip problem prompting Casimero’s response in a post-match interview.
“When he (Benzema) is not training we worry because he is a real professional who always wants to train and play,” he told the press.
Benzema has been receiving treatment on his injury from the club’s physios every day the squad has been Stateside.
Casemiro echoed the medics’ hopes that the centre forward will be ready for the Super Cup against Sevilla on Tuesday week, adding, “I’m sure he’ll be in good shape for the 9th.”
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane would like to see the French striker play some part in their final game of the friendly tournament against Bayern Munich in New Jersey on Wednesday.
Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos missed Saturday’s win against Chelsea while Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez have also had an interrupted pre-season. Zidane is expecting them all to get some playing time against Bayern. The coach has already confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo is ruled out of the Super Cup and wants to field his strongest team against Sevilla.
Full-back Marcelo captained the side against Chelsea, leading by example to score the first two goals. The was second a superb individual goal following an interception near the halfway line. The skipper was the provider for Mariano Diaz’ long-range effort into the top corner which put Real Madrid 3-0 in front before half time. Zidane made a number of changes in the second half before Eden Hazard pulled two goals back for Chelsea in the final 10 minutes.
