‘It’s true Real Madrid depend on Benzema’ – Ancelotti
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed their dependency on Karim Benzema ahead of the return fixture of their Uefa Champions League game against Chelsea.
Benzema scored a hat-trick last Wednesday to give the Blancos a crucial 3-1 away win at the Stamford Bridge and the heroics made it back-to-back hat-tricks for the France star in the Champions League (after 3-1 vs. PSG in March).
The 34-year-old has scored 37 goals in all competitions this season and he has equalled his best scoring tally in La Liga with 24 goals in 27 matches.
“Vinicius and Benzema have stood out a lot, before we had Cristiano or Bale. It’s true that we depend on Benzema, it doesn’t bother me to say it, I’m happy to have him,” Ancelotti said in a press conference before Tuesday’s match.
Ancelotti was quiet when asked about Real Madrid’s reported interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland and he emphasized on Benzema’s quality as a ‘modern centre-forward’.
“I can’t answer this. I can only say that Karim is a modern centre-forward,” he continued.
“In the past the striker would stand in the centre of the box and shoot. Karim is what modern football demands.
“He helps the team, he does defensive work. He is the perfect representation of what a centre-forward should be.
