Madrid (AFP)
French international striker Karim Benzema will miss Sunday’s La Liga summit between Real Madrid and its neighbor Atletico, according to Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The 34-year-old veteran striker missed the last two matches of the royal team, due to a thigh injury and was hoping to recover, but he did not train with the team on Saturday.
“Benzema will not be able to catch the match,” Ancelotti said Saturday at a press conference on the eve of the match at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
The coach did not want to enter into the controversy of the celebration of his young Brazilian striker, Vinicius Junior, which some considered inappropriate, “I am not his father, I am not his brother, I am just his coach.” He continued, “He plays football with a joy that he owns.”
The criticism of Vinicius Junior from a Spanish players’ agent on a popular television program, which described what he was doing after celebrating the monkey dance, angered many in Brazil.
Real leads the standings with 15 points from five matches, while Atletico is seventh with ten points.
On the next side, Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak returns from injury, after missing the last victory over Celta Vigo 4-1 and the loss with two goals against Bayern Leverkusen on Tuesday in the Champions League.
Argentine coach Diego Simeone confirmed that the Slovenian is ready to play, and said that his team is able to thwart opponents who won their eight matches in various competitions.
“It’s always important how you get to the big matches and derbies, but the moment the match starts the story becomes different… That’s why this game is so entertaining,” said the former midfielder.
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