Real Madrid handed double fitness boost for Liverpool clash

Real Madrid have welcomed Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy again into their squad for Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg with Liverpool.

Los Blancos are in a robust place to succeed in the quarter-finals of the competitors, having recorded a 5-2 victory over the Premier League giants within the first leg of their tie at Anfield.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has been capable of recall each Benzema and Mendy to his squad, which means that David Alaba is presently the staff’s solely senior absentee.

Benzema was not concerned in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Espanyol in La Liga as a result of an ankle knock.

Nonetheless, Ancelotti insisted on Friday that the Frenchman can be again towards Liverpool, and the skilled ahead has returned to the squad for Wednesday’s affair.

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“Benzema may be very excited and is in a terrific bodily second,” Real Madrid’s head coach instructed reporters throughout his pre-match press convention on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old has had his fitness points this season however has nonetheless loved a robust marketing campaign, scoring 18 objectives and registering 5 assists in 27 appearances in all competitions.

Mendy’s return can also be an enormous constructive for Real Madrid, because the left-back has been on the sidelines for the reason that finish of January as a result of a hamstring drawback.

The 27-year-old’s final look for Los Blancos was towards Atletico Madrid within the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on January 26.

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Alaba has been out for the reason that first leg of the clash with Liverpool as a result of a hamstring drawback, and it’s unclear when the Austria worldwide can be obtainable for choice as soon as once more.

There’s a spot within the squad for Alvaro Rodriguez, in the meantime, with {the teenager} just lately scoring his first senior aim for the membership towards Atletico within the Madrid derby.

“I believe we’ve not talked a lot about that. We did a variety of good issues. We’re not going to do calculations,” stated Ancelotti when requested about how his facet would strategy the second leg as a result of their 5-2 lead.

“We’re not going to suggest a closed match however an open one, to play our greatest offensive soccer. And the gamers perceive that. That is why I believe it is going to be an open sport.”

Real Madrid are the holders of the European Cup, beating Liverpool 1-0 in final season’s ultimate, with Vinicius Junior netting the one aim of the competition within the 59th minute.

Real Madrid squad vs. Liverpool:

Courtois, Lunin, Lopez; Carvajal, Militao, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rudiger, Mendy; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano, Alvaro