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France boss Blanc: Real Madrid's Benzema out for two weeks
The in-form forward limped off during the early exchanges of his club's Champions League last-16 clash with CSKA Moscow in the Russian capital on Tuesday night
23 Feb 2012 21:36:00
By Mark Doyle
Getty
France coach Laurent Blanc has revealed that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will be out of action for a fortnight with a thigh problem.
Benzema hobbled off just 15 minutes into his club's Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium on Tuesday night, but Los Blancos have thus far been coy on the severity of the injury.
However, Les Bleus boss Blanc claimed during his squad announcement for next week's friendly against Germany that Benzema is facing two weeks on the sidelines.
"Unfortunately, I saw his injury live and it seemed right away that it would difficult to call on him," the former Bordeaux coach is quoted as saying by L'Equipe.
"He has reached a new level with his club this season and it will now be up to others to do his job and score some goals."
Benzema initially struggled to establish himself at the Santiago Bernabeu following his arrival from Lyon in 2009, but has been in fine form for Jose Mourinho's side in recent months.
The injury means that the 24-year-old is now likely to miss his side's upcoming La Liga clashes with Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol.
| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.25 | Draw £65.00 | Estonia £170.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.40 | Draw £60.00 | Estonia £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.43 | Draw £70.00 | Estonia £170.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.30 | Draw £80.00 | Estonia £210.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.00 | Draw £85.00 | Estonia £138.00 |
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Benzema hobbled off just 15 minutes into his club's Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium on Tuesday night, but Los Blancos have thus far been coy on the severity of the injury.
However, Les Bleus boss Blanc claimed during his squad announcement for next week's friendly against Germany that Benzema is facing two weeks on the sidelines.
"Unfortunately, I saw his injury live and it seemed right away that it would difficult to call on him," the former Bordeaux coach is quoted as saying by L'Equipe.
"He has reached a new level with his club this season and it will now be up to others to do his job and score some goals."
Benzema initially struggled to establish himself at the Santiago Bernabeu following his arrival from Lyon in 2009, but has been in fine form for Jose Mourinho's side in recent months.
The injury means that the 24-year-old is now likely to miss his side's upcoming La Liga clashes with Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol.
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14:20 BST -
Which leads me into some Germany news. Some slight source of worry for Joachim Low's hotly-tipped side is the defence - which it would be, when you lose 5-3 to Switzerland in a pre-tournament match - but Michael Zorc believes that Mats Hummels is the team's best centre-back and should start.
That's the Borussia Dortmund sporting director. Talking about the Dortmund player. I'm onto you, Zorc. I'm onto you.
That's the Borussia Dortmund sporting director. Talking about the Dortmund player. I'm onto you, Zorc. I'm onto you.
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