After a rocky start to 2023, Carlo Ancelotti’s team, the European and Spanish champions, wants to win the tournament for the fifth time and gain confidence.
Benzema, the captain of Madrid, missed the semi-final due to a thigh injury, but he will train with the team on Friday in preparation for the final.
After their 4-1 semi-final victory over Egyptian team Al Ahly on Wednesday, Los Blancos are the clear favorite to defeat Al-Hilal. They are already the record holder for winning four times.
During Ancelotti’s first season in charge, Madrid won the competition in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Fede Valverde, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Junior’s younger brother Sergio Arribas from the bench all scored in the victory.
Although Madrid’s forwards lacked the cutting edge necessary to defeat the 10-time African Champions League champions in the final stages, they were not at their best.
Benzema’s injury, according to Ancelotti, is not serious, but the coach may decide to start him on the bench even if he is fit to play after his team’s impressive performance.
Madrid has fallen eight points behind their rivals in the race for the La Liga title after losing to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup in January.
After winning the European Super Cup in August, their second trophy of the season would boost morale in the Spanish capital.
Al-Hilal, who defeated Copa Libertadores champion Flamengo in the other semi-final, is led by Odion Ighalo, a former Manchester United striker, and Luciano Vietto, a former Atletico Madrid forward.
After finishing fourth in both 2019 and 2021, the Asian Champions League winners of 2021 want to win the trophy for the first time.
We must respect this team because they have good players and play well together. We, as well as they, will be excited to play in the final,” Ancelotti stated on Wednesday.
“There are a lot of teams all over the world that can compete, fight, and win as well,” says “Football is changing.”
Finding consistency After leading by two goals against Al Ahly, Madrid appeared to have secured their place in the final, but their opponents won a penalty and missed a golden opportunity to draw level.
Rodrygo scored a brilliant goal to secure the victory after Luka Modric missed his own spot kick, and Arribas’ fourth goal was the cherry on top.
Ancelotti was pleased that Valverde was able to score for the club for the first time since November.
Valverde hasn’t been at his best in the wake of reports that he has a family problem outside of the game and after the World Cup.
The midfielder was Madrid’s most important player in the first half of the season, helping them advance in the Champions League and keep pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Ancelotti stated, “I’m happy because he played a good game.”
He scored, demonstrated his quality, and produced the goods. He’s coming back gradually.
Vinicius opened the scoring for Madrid with a delicate chip, allowing him to shrug off the problems he had been having in Spain recently, including several instances of racist abuse.
With Benzema leading the line, Madrid are unquestionably more dangerous, but the forward has been hindered by a series of nagging injuries this season.
Other players from Real Madrid have been injured as well, including Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy, Lucas Vazquez, Eden Hazard, who will not play in the final, and Eder Militao, who is also uncertain.
But after scoring a lot of goals against Al Ahly, Ancelotti is sure that his strikers can finish the job and make history on Saturday.