Carlo Ancelotti explains how Karim Benzema has returned to top form

Carlo Ancelotti has explained that Karim Benzema’s return to ‘optimal condition’ has been keen to the forward’s stunning form in recent weeks.

Benzema bagged his second hat-trick in the space of four days on Wednesday evening, scoring three of Real Madrid’s four in a famous Clasico win at Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. This hat-trick followed up a seven minute treble in the weekend thumping of Real Valladolid.

Speaking about Benzema’s goals at Camp Nou, manager Ancelotti, as expected, was full of praise for his star striker.

“The work [Benzema] did during the international break helped a lot. He’s found his optimal condition again, and with the quality he has, the physical condition that supports that quality makes the difference,” Ancelotti said.

“He’s still one of the best players – not forwards, but players – in the world right now, without doubt. When he’s healthy, he makes the difference.”

The Ballon d’Or winner has struggled with a spate of niggling injuries during the 2022/23 season, missing 13 games due to issues ranging from muscle fatigue to ankle knocks. Despite these lay-offs, Benzema has still managed to score 25 goals and bag four assists in all competitions so far this season for Los Blancos – including seven in his last four games.

Real Madrid will be hoping the French forward continues this form into next week when they face off against Chelsea in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash.