Following Karim Benzema’s injury, Real Madrid’s victory over Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League has come at a significant cost to the Spanish powerhouses.
After an easy 4-0 aggregate victory over Frank Lampard’s team, Los Blancos eliminated the Blues from the Champions League quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly acknowledged that he replaced Benzema in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory at Chelsea because the French forward sustained an injury.
“Karim had a blow, a stomp on his foot, it started to bother him at the end and we changed him.”
Benzema has been a thorn in Real Madrid’s side this season, picking up various knocks in a hectic campaign which has seen him already miss 13 games due to injury.
Chelsea mascot excited to meet Benzema
Meanwhile, Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was quick to meet an outstretched hand of an excited Chelsea mascot with his own before their Champions League game at Stamford Bridge, Daily Star reports.
A huge smile spread across the face of the youngster before a delighted shocked face that looked like disbelief after Benzema had shook his hands
Benzema’s gesture towards the mascot has provided a heartwarming reaction across England following the backlash Arsenal stars faced after refusing to talk to the mascots in their Premier League game against West Ham.
Chelsea crash out of Champions League
Earlier, it was reported Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge as poor finishing cost them any chance of turning the quarter-final first-leg result around.
A brace from Brazilian sensation, Rodrygo de Goes dumped the West Londoners out of the Champions League, compounding what has been a catastrophic campaign, to say the least.
Wednesday night’s result means the Londoners’ woes in front of the goal continue unabated, scoring just once in four games under Frank Lampard.