Real Madrid's top scorer Karim Benzema is back for Sunday's derby away to La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, coach Zinedine Zidane said, no doubt hoping the striker can restore some attacking flair to the side, which has struggled for goals in his absence.
Benzema has been out since injuring a muscle after scoring in a 2-0 win over Valencia on Feb. 14.
Real have managed only one goal per game in the three matches he has missed, failing to score in the first half each time and relying on players such as Casemiro and Ferland Mendy to score instead.
Benzema was Real's top scorer last season as they surged to the title and has been responsible for 30% of their goals in all competitions this season while providing five assists.
La Liga champions Real Madrid recorded overall income of 681.2m euros ($832m) in the 2019-20 season despite an 8% drop in revenue, a study from auditing firm KPMG revealed Sunday.
Posted by Sports Tribune on Monday, 11 January 2021
Eden Hazard has still not recovered from his latest injury setback, however, while captain Sergio Ramos and right back Dani Carvajal are also out.
Zidane's side go into the derby third in the standings and five points behind Atletico while having played one game more, but he does not think the match will be decisive in the title race.
Atletico will have right back Kieran Trippier back for the first time since January after he completed a ban for violating betting rules in England, and coach Diego Simeone said his return would bring more dynamism to his side.
The Argentine also said the match would not determine the title race, pointing to how Real and Barcelona have pulled themselves back into contention due to his side's poor run of form in February.
