Karim Benzema and Aurelien Tchouameni are both doubts for Real Madrid’s match with Celtic after missing training.
The French pair have both had injury problems in recent times, with Benzema missing the club’s last three matches with fatigue and Tchouameni sidelined for the latest outing against Girona.
It was hoped that both would be able to return for the final Champions League group stage match with Celtic, but it now looks unlikely that they’ll do so.
Neither took part in team training on Monday, doing individual programmes instead. Benzema’s took place entirely on the training field, while Tchouameni also spent time in the gym.
Ideally, manager Carlo Ancelotti would play it safe and rest both, but doing so would be a risk given that Real Madrid can still lose top spot in the group.
After losing 3-2 to RB Leipzig last week, they’re just one point ahead of their German opponents and so will finish second if they fail to win and the Bundesliga side does claim victory against Shakhtar Donetsk.
That would put Ancelotti’s side at risk of getting a much more difficult round-of-16 match, so the Italian will be doing everything he can to ensure his team beat Celtic.
Without Benzema and Tchouameni last time out, the La Liga champions failed to beat Girona at home, drawing 1-1 after conceding a late penalty.
Credit: 90min.com
