Real Madrid launches good sensations with Karim Benzema ahead of Tuesday’s match at the Parc des Princes against PSG, in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. The doubt will probably live on until the end, but at the moment the white club is transmitting optimistic signs that its best striker, the author of 24 goals so far this season, can play the Paris match despite the muscular problems that he has been dragging.
Starting with the press conference, in which a player always comes out to speak with the coach. In this case, the chosen one was Benzema. It is not an immutable truth, but it is common that the footballer who comes out to speak at a press conference is also part of the starting eleven. Ancelotti could not have been convinced at this point that Benzema was going to play, since the last training session in the Parc des Princes itself was missing, but Karim’s departure to speak to the media is a first message to the world and, specifically, to PSG.
In the appearance before the media, Benzema was cautious, but slipped that his intention is to play, if he feels good: “There are many hours of work. I feel much better, but I need sensations on the pitch. I’m 100% upside down. I have worked in the morning, in the afternoon, at night, at home, in Valdebebas… I have to see myself on the pitch, but I’m here to help my team. I will always force for my team. If not, I’ll stay in Madrid. If I have to force, I will force. But it is not to injure himself more, that would be bad for the team. Let’s see the sensations.”
Then, on the pitch, in the first 15 minutes that UEFA grants to the media, Benzema was normal, both in the continuous race and in the first rounds. It remains to be seen if he completes training in full, but everything indicates that the striker will have all the options intact to help his team against PSG.