He Real Madrid announced the 23 called up for the round of 16 match of the Champions League against Liverpool. A list in which Benzema returns and Toni Kroos and Tchouaméni are still out, in addition to the inclusion of several youth players.
Those directed by Ancelotti faces are seen again against the reds one season later to define a ticket to the quarterfinals of the European competition and, although the meringues do not have two important pieces of this season, they will seek to direct the tie at Anfield.
Karim Benzema rejoined the team after being absent before the game against Osasuna, in the last day of LaLiga. It should be noted that since the beginning of the season the player has been suffering from physical problems that have prevented him from being part of all his team’s matches.
The French striker commands the leadership of goals in his team with 18 goals and it is an important part of the attack trident, so Ancelotti can smile knowing what will have the Ballon d’Or for the match in Liverpool.
However, not all have the same luck to return to the pitch. Toni Kroos continues to recover from a gastrointestinal process that has forced him to miss three games (with this one)while Tchouaméni left Palmplona at the last minute due to a flu process and for the one who is still in recovery.
Added to these two casualties are those of Mendy, the left side of Real Madrid, has been suffering from a semimembranosus muscle in his left leg since the end of January, which will keep it off the lawn for five to six weeks. And Mariano, who was also absent in the last league game due to physical discomfort.
A surprise in the 23 summoned by Ancelotti are the inclusion of young people: Mario Martín, Sergio Arribas and Álvaro Rodríguez. The latter stood out in Pamplona after coming on as a replacement and being key with the assist that determined the 0-2 scoreline for his team.
The Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs, will be in charge of directing the actions of the first leg in this tie. UEFA has made it known that he will be assisted in band by Florin Marinescu and Ovidiu Artene, while in the VAR will be the Italians Massimiliano Irrati and Marco Guida.