Thomas Hindle

Karim Benzema absent from Real Madrid squad to face Girona with their La Liga title hopes hanging by a thread

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is out for Tuesday's La Liga clash with Girona, with Carlo Ancelotti hopeful of a return by the weekend.

Benzema out for Tuesday's game
Played on Saturday after sustaining a knock against Chelsea
Striker has 14 La Liga goals this season

WHAT HAPPENED? Benzema has not been named in the Madrid squad as Carlo Ancelotti's side take on Girona with their La Liga prospects fading. The striker appeared to pick up a knock in Real's Champions League clash with Chelsea last week, and was removed before full time of Madrid's win.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE: Madrid travel to mid-table Girona facing an 11-point deficit in La Liga with eight games remaining. They will look to close the gap with a thin squad, too. Eden Hazard, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Benjamin Mendy all join Benzema on the sidelines.

WHAT THEY SAID?: In a pre-match press conference, Manager Carlo Ancelotti backed Benzema to be back for Madrid's clash next weekend: "If he recovers from the blow, he will play against Almeria. He’s too important for us. In the last games he has shown a very good level and that is maintained by playing and not saving it. If he’s okay, he wants to play and so do we."

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