Zidane says Benzema can start in Madrid derby
Atletico have gone 22 games in a row without a defeat at Calderon in La Liga, (W18 D4) – their last defeat at Calderon was on September 2015 (1-2 against Barcelona).
Griezmann returned from worldwide duty with France with a severely bruised left foot, but has trained this week and is expected to start. “He’s ready to play from the start so we’ll see tomorrow whether he’ll be in the line-up or not”, Zidane said. “He’s frustrated, as am I, and I believe the national team is as well”.
“Real Madrid must get back to having him play like he did during the (Carlo) Ancelotti era”.
“It is true that we have to be very careful against Griezmann, but not only him”.
But following his country’s heartbreak, Griezmann has bounced back this season, scoring eight goals in all competitions for Atletico.
“I see an Atletico side more dominant than on other occasions”, Rodriguez said.
Griezmann slotted home a brilliantly taken victor as the red and white side of Madrid celebrated a 1-0 win at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu in the last league meeting between the sides in February.
“It is not a test for me”, Zidane added. The Frenchman has an injury and it needs to be seen whether he can courageous the injury and play a role in the game. We expect a tough game.
Zinedine Zidane has watched his side springboard off their 11th European Cup success last season, carrying the joy of the occasion through the summer months. It always hurts, but I’m not thinking about that game.
“If we win we are in the fight once more”.
“He is better, and if he is on the squad then he can play”, Zidane said on Friday. Alvaro Morata, who scored three goals in his last three games with Madrid, is out because of a hamstring injury sustained with Spain’s national team, and it remains unclear if Karim Benzema will overcome a lingering hip problem.
“Kroos and Morata continue with their recovery processes, while Casemiro and Pepe trained out on the pitch away from the rest of their teammates”.
The game takes on extra significance for being the last league derby at the iconic Vicente Calderon with Atletico due to move from the 50-year-old ground to a new 67,000 capacity arena next year.
“There are scars left from that game and we’ll never forget it”, he told Spanish sports daily Marca.