Benzema and Courtois out of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup squad

Real Madrid has travelled to Morocco, Venue for the FIFA Club World Cup, where they will face Egyptian giants Al Ahly on Wednesday in a semifinal clash after the Egyptians beat Seattle Sounders with a late goal on Saturday.

Los Blancos have been having an inconsistent time in Spain, having gone 8 points behind Blaugrana giants Barcelona.

While Thibaut Courtois started the 1-0 loss to Mallorca at the weekend but was substituted early in the first half due to an injury.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian second-choice Andriy Lunin, Luis López, and Cañizares will fly out with the team to Rabat, Morocco.

Karim Benzema and Eder Militao are unavailable as well due to injury problems. However, Marco Asensio, Vini Jr., Rodrygo, and Mariano are on the plane.

The Real Madrid manager, while lamenting the injury problems that the team is facing, believes that it is getting better irrespective of the last couple of results that the team has gathered.

“I think the team is getting better, even despite this last defeat. I think we’re in good condition to fight for this title. We have injuries, but we’re not the only team with injuries. [Courtois, Militão, and Benzema] are all on the squad list, which means we think they could be ready for Saturday. We preferred to leave them in Madrid to continue recovering, but they could come out on Thursday for Saturday’s game if they’re doing well enough.”

Meanwhile, the injured trio can join up with the rest of the team in Morocco if Real Madrid beats Al Ahly and gets to the final of the competition.

REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Lunin, Luis López and Cañizares.

Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Rüdiger and Marvel.

Midfielders: Kroos, Modrić, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, D. Ceballos, Mario Martín and Arribas.

Attackers: Asensio, Vini Jr., Rodrygo, and Mariano.

Daniel Ademiju Idowa