MY ACCOUNT
Carlo Ancelotti believes winning the Club World Cup this weekend could be the impetus Real Madrid need, as he backed Karim Benzema to roar back to his best.
Benzema has flown in late to Morocco, along with Eder Militao, in the hope they can play some part in Saturday’s final against Al Hilal after recovering from minor injuries.
Madrid are having a sticky time of it, with a defeat to Real Mallorca in LaLiga last weekend seeing them slip eight points behind leaders Barcelona.
A Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool awaits them in the coming weeks, a reunion after last year’s final that Madrid won to conquer Europe for a 14th time.
These, then, are important days for Madrid, and landing a trophy would only help strengthen morale.
Asked whether the Al Hilal game was one where there was little to gain but a lot to lose for Madrid, Ancelotti said: “I don’t see it that way, because it’s an important title, the end of a long road.
“This final can give us a boost. The team have confidence and the important thing is not to lose it.”
He added: “Evaluating Real Madrid’s season is not easy. We started well with the European Super Cup and we did well up until the World Cup.
“Then the World Cup arrived and we said we didn’t know what was going to happen. It took us a while to recover the players who went to the World Cup. January has cost us in terms of points and injuries. The month of January is over, February is here and I think we are doing well.
“We reached the important moment of the season with players coming back and with the idea of giving the maximum. Tomorrow is a final and Madrid respects finals very much. We will play to the maximum physically, technically and tactically.”
After a spectacular season last term saw Benzema hit 44 goals in 46 games, earning him the Ballon d’Or award, injuries have blighted his follow-up campaign.
He has still managed 13 goals in 21 appearances, but the strike rate is down at one goal every 138.08 minutes, where last season he scored on average every 88.91 minutes.
His shot conversion rate has dipped from 24.18 to 15.48 per cent, but Ancelotti says the 35-year-old captain will remain his main striker this season and into 2023-24.
The ex-Everton and Milan boss spoke in defence of the former France striker when the question of Madrid possibly signing another number nine was raised in Friday’s pre-match press conference.
“It is a subject that must be discussed calmly. Karim’s age and Karim’s performance must be taken into account,” Ancelotti said. “Benzema is our number nine. After the World Cup he is doing very well and I think next season, too, he will do very well.
Ancelotti said there was no certainty Benzema or centre-back Militao would feature against Saudi giants Al Hilal, who beat Flamengo 3-2 in the semi-finals, while Madrid swept to a 4-1 victory against Al Ahly.
“Today’s training is important,” Ancelotti said. “If they are here it is because they have the chance to play. Today they will train and then I will decide.”
Amid continuing reports Ancelotti is fancied by Brazil to be their next manager, the man himself again declined to state any interest in that role.
He said: “My situation is very clear, I have a contract until 2024.”
