Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has, late on Thursday, provided an update on the wellbeing of three members of his squad.
Los Blancos, of course were back in action a short time ago.
After watching Clasico rivals Barcelona surge a full eight points clear at the La Liga summit 24 hours prior, Real welcomed Valencia to the Santiago Bernabeu, desperate for a return to winning ways of their own.
And, when all was said and done, get the better of Valencia is precisely what the evening’s hosts went on to do.
Goals on the part of Marco Asensio and Vinicius Jr. proved enough to guide Real to the right side of a 2-0 scoreline, closing the gap on table-topping Barca in the process.
WHAT A RUN AND FINISH FROM VINI ⚡ pic.twitter.com/TpIx8t2kI1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 2, 2023
As alluded to above, though, an otherwise positive evening’s work for the European champions was soured to an altogether considerable degree by not one, not two, but three blows on the personnel front.
Speaking on the back of the full-time whistle in Spain’s capital, Carlo Ancelotti, in turn, was asked for an update on the wellbeing of the trio.
And, first, Real’s boss went on to reveal that the concerns surrounding Militao are more serious than those of Benzema, whose substitution came as a ‘precaution’.
In fact, the stopper has already been ruled out of Los Merengues’ upcoming meeting with RCD Mallorca.
🚨🎙| Ancelotti: “Militao is injured. It’s more serious than Benzema’s injury. Militao will NOT play on Sunday.
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) February 2, 2023
Turning attentions towards midfielder Kroos, Ancelotti confirmed that his exit on Thursday came at the direct request of the German, who was dealing with ‘discomfort in his adductor’.
🚨🎙| Ancelotti: “Kroos asked to get subbed off because he had discomfort in his adductor.”
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) February 2, 2023