Madrid (AFP)
A "special" player, whom "everyone admires": Saturday, Zinédine Zidane praised French center forward of Real Madrid Karim Benzema, returning from a groin injury just in time to compete in the capital derby Spain against the leader, Atlético Madrid, Sunday in La Liga.
"He is special. For me, for people who love football, it is a joy to see him at Real Madrid. In the ten years that he has been here, he has progressed enormously and he has become a fundamental player for us, "Zidane said at a pre-match press conference on Saturday.
"We know how important Karim is to us, and not just to score goals. He is a player that everyone admires. He is a player who gives a lot on the pitch. He is a player who loves the game. So obviously, it is better to have him in his team than to have him against ", praised" Zizou "again.
"Karim will be with us," confirmed "ZZ", as the French center-forward missed the last three games with a slight groin injury.
"We are not going to risk anything. If there is any doubt, it does not please me, the player can be injured more seriously, hurt himself more, so those who will play will be those who will be 100%", however qualified Zidane, leaving doubt on the chances of Benzema to hold his place as holder.
Sunday at 4:15 p.m. (3:15 p.m. GMT), Real Madrid (3rd, 53 pts) will make a short trip to its neighbor and leader of Liga, Atlético Madrid (1st, 58 pts), to try to get closer to the standings and still believe in his chances of retaining his domestic title.
"We play another game, it's three points ... But it's a final, like all the matches we play, because every time we play we have the obligation to win. But what? what happens tomorrow (Sunday), we will still be alive in the league, "concluded Zidane.
The Belgian Eden Hazard, not yet fully recovered from his muscle injury to the left thigh, will not be able to compete in this Madrid derby.
Just like the other center forward of Real Mariano Diaz, who was injured this week in the pelvis.
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