JAKARTA - There is no doubt about the fact that Real Madrid looks very different without their main striker, Karim Benzema.
In fact, Carlo Ancelotti publicly acknowledged this fact, stating that his team relied on the French player's goals.
"To say that we rely on Benzema is the truth, there's no need to hide it," Ancelotti was quoted as saying by Marca on Wednesday.
"I am very happy to be able to depend on Karim".
Attention is now on whether Benzema will appear in the final match of the Real Madrid Champions League group against Glasgow Celtic or not.
Following a frustrating draw against Shakhtar Donetsk and another loss to RB Leipzig, Real Madrid who need a win will face Celtic to ensure their place as group winners.
Benzema is currently out of action due to muscle fatigue problems, training away from the first team with fellow French players Aurelian Tchouameni.
Another issue hanging in Real Madrid's dressing room is the 2022 World Cup, which is getting closer. Ancelotti knows some of his stars are aiming for the biggest trophy in football.
Benzema went to the World Cup after reaching everything at club level. The Frenchman has won La Liga and the Champions League many times, as well as the Ballon d'Or after a sensational season with Real Madrid.
However, his last World Cup appearance was in 2014, where the Frenchman was later expelled from the French national team in 2018 over a sex record scandal involving teammate Matthieu Valbuena.
This means Benzema lost France's victory in Russia and he will do everything he can to make up for the time he lost, as he joins Les Blues to defend the trophy.
He did not take any risks, but no one at Real Madrid doubts his professionalism, especially given that he had placed the club first by refusing to undergo surgery on his injured finger.
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