Madrid to do without Benzema

Posted Saturday, April 09, 2011 by PA

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho will be unable to call on Karim Benzema for Saturday's Primera Division encounter at Athletic Bilbao despite welcoming the France international back to training this week.

Benzema has been sidelined since picking up a thigh injury on international duty recently and missed Madrid's surprise home reverse against Sporting Gijon last weekend and the 4-0 win over Tottenham in the Champions League in midweek.

Benzema had been widely expected to return for Saturday evening's match at San Mames but was absent from Madrid's 20-man travelling party, and will now instead train his sights on returning for the second leg of Madrid's Champions League quarter-final tie at White Hart Lane next week.

Madrid's assistant coach Aitor Karanka explained: "Benzema is making progress and we've decided not to risk it.

"We want him to return when he's in optimum form."

Mourinho will instead hope the fit-again Gonzalo Higuain and Emmanuel Adebayor - who netted a brace against Spurs - will come up with the goals to lift his side to a much-needed three points in the wake of the damaging loss to Sporting.

That defeat was Mourinho's first as a coach at home in nine years, but more importantly left Madrid lagging eight points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona with just eight matches remaining.

Karanka insists, however, that Madrid will keep on fighting to close the gap.

"I played five years at this club and I can tell you no coach or player has ever given up while the team's options are still alive," he said.

"San Mames is a very tough venue. The match against Athletic is one of those you make a note of on the calendar at the start of the season. We will do our best to win three very important points."

Madrid's cause will not be helped by the absences of the flu-hit Sami Khedira and injured duo Fernando Gago and Pedro Leon, although Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso and Kaka - who all missed the loss to Sporting - are available after coming through the game with Spurs unscathed.

Athletic will hope to maintain their grip on fifth place in the standings following last weekend's 3-1 win over bottom side Almeria, but will know a tough encounter is on the cards against a Madrid side desperate to close the gap on the leaders.

Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros has been handed a boost on the eve of the match after long-time Madrid target Fernando Llorente committed his future to the club.

"My future lies with this club," Llorente told AS. "I've always said this is the case and nothing's changed.

"My current contract runs for two more years and I'm feeling very relaxed."

Looking ahead to Saturday's match, he added: "It will be a tough game as Real Madrid won't give up on the title just yet. I'm sure that Mourinho's men will be keen to get a good result.

"We play at home though and will give our all to get something from this game."