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Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema gestures during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Elche CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, January 23, 2022. — AFP pic
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MADRID, March 19 — Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will miss Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu after suffering a calf injury.
Benzema, La Liga’s top scorer, was absent from Real’s Saturday training session in Madrid and is likely to concentrate on getting fit for next month’s Champions League quarter-final matches against Chelsea.
The France striker was injured after grabbing an assist and two late goals as LaLiga leaders Real defeated Mallorca 3-0 on Monday.
The club said defender Ferland Mendy would miss the next two weeks with a hamstring injury but forward Rodrygo, who also suffered an injury against Mallorca, was in Saturday’s training session and should be available for Sunday’s game.
Real will host bitter rivals Barca with the opportunity to strengthen their hold on the title race.
With 66 points from 28 games, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have a 10-point advantage over second-placed Sevilla and are 15 ahead of Barca in third.
With 11 matches to play, they are on a high and have a LaLiga-European Cup double in their sights. — Reuters