Ancelotti: 'Benzema actually has lots of potential replacements'

Carlo Ancelotti has talked to the press following the 2-1 home victory over Real Betis. The Italian boss was asked if Karim Benzema needs rest and if the coach is concerned that there may not be a reliable backup for him.

That's what Ancelotti replied: “It’s not true that he doesn’t have a substitute. There’s Mariano, Hazard, Rodrygo and Asensio who can play in that position. Modric has played there too, although that didn’t go so well".

"The fact we’re playing every three days now might mean he’ll have to rest some matches. Today he wasn’t so clinical in finishing, but that wasn’t because of anything physical.”

The Frenchman has so far netted a brace against Espanyol last week and also contributed with a goal against Celta, he appeared in the starting eleven and played full 90 minutes in every game this campaign.

Eden Hazard (41), Marco Asensio (8), and Mariano Diaz (-), on the other hand, only got 52 minutes of playing time combined.

Source: Real Madrid.com