Trondheim (Norway) (AFP) – Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is an injury doubt ahead of the European Super Cup clash with Sevilla in Trondheim, Norway on Tuesday, joining a long list of absentees.
“We’re aren’t going to take any risks regarding Karim” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane told a press conference.
“He is ok, but he hasn’t played the last two matches (…) I’m very happy that he’s with us, because he’s worked very hard, he’s done the whole pre season but we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.” explained Zidane.
Benzema sustained a hip injury at the end of last season and still hasn’t fully recovered despite not featuring for France in the Euros.
Real Madrid are already missing star attacker Cristiano Ronaldo through injury, while Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos are also not included in the squad after extended holidays following the European Championships.
New Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli must also make do without key players including Euro finalist Adil Rami, as the Frenchman is unfit to feature in Tuesday’s final.
“He came back not long ago. He played in the Euro and has barely done any pre season with us,” stated the Argentinian who has taken over from Unai Emery.
This is the third consecutive year that Sevilla feature in the European Supercup final. The Andalusians have lost both previous finals, once to Real Madrid, 2-0 in 2014 when Ronaldo scored both goals and also last year to Barcelona in a thrilling match which saw the Catalans edge it 5-4.
The Champions League winners also have the better record going into Tuesday’s game after winning the trophy in 2002 and 2014, compared to Sevilla’s one success in 2006.
Trondheim in Norway has the honour of being the first Scandinavian city to host the event.
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