Zidane offers update on key Real Madrid player for derby

The Real Madrid star has missed the last three games through injury ahead of this weekend’s derby against city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has confirmed Karim Benzema will return for Sunday’s derby against Atletico Madrid.

The Frenchman has been sidelined with an adductor injury since mid-February and has missed the club’s last three games. But while Real Madrid won twice and drew once, they failed to score over one goal in any of those matches.

Happy to be back ! ⚔️☄️ #AtletiRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/xaBYL4toPJ

— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) March 5, 2021

So Zidane welcomed his top-scorer back to group training on Friday morning to assess his fitness. And after one last training session on Saturday, the manager has recalled him for the all-important derby – one the club cannot afford to lose.

“We know what Karim is, he is important for us,” said Zidane in his pre-match conference on Saturday afternoon.

“Karim will be there tomorrow. He is important in our system of play, especially when we have the ball.

“It’s true that we want to score more goals. The important thing is to create chances. Then each player can give more.”

Zidane didn’t state, though, whether Benzema would start for Real Madrid. He plans to take no unnecessary risks on the striker, suggesting Benzema may be on the bench.