Not Wanting To Risk Benzema's Injury, Ancelotti Removes The Striker From The Squad Against Bilbao In The King's Cup

JAKARTA - Real Madrid's Karim Benzema has been ruled out of Friday's Copa del Rey quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao. The striker is still recovering from a leg muscle injury.

Launching Antara, Thursday, Benzema's participation is in doubt after manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted to having doubts about the French striker's readiness. It is known, Benzema was forced off early in the second half of the La Liga match against Elche in January.

"We don't want to take any risks at all. He's training separately from the group, we feel good about that and he'll be joining his teammates today. So we'll see," Ancelotti told a news conference, hours before announced that Benzema will be left out of the squad for that trip to Bilbao.

The first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Paris St Germain is only two weeks away and Ancelotti is taking no chances.

"We don't want to put him at risk of a relapse. He knows that. If he doesn't play it's because we want him to recover. If he is healthy he will leave, if not, he stays at home."

But Ancelotti will continue to rely on Casemiro, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Federico Valverde, all South American, for the cup competition once they have finished with their national team.

"Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo ... will be fine ... because they are 21 years old and not 60 years old like me," Ancelotti said with a laugh.

"We'll evaluate if we put them on from the start, but if they're just tired, they'll be playing."

The match against Bilbao was the fourth meeting in two months between the clubs in all competitions. Real will be eager to maintain their winning record in the previous three meetings.

"Nothing has changed. It's a very important match for us in a competition that we really value and the Bilbao environment will be amazing. We have to be at our best."