Karim Benzema and Casemiro ruled out of Champions League showdown with Manchester City

Karim Benzema won't be in action against City Reuters

MANCHESTER CITY have been handed a boost after Karim Benzema and Casemiro were ruled out of the Champions League semi-final second leg on Wednesday night.
French forward Benzema and Brazilian midfielder Casemiro have been officially ruled out of the crunch clash after failing to shake off knocks.
Benzema has failed to shake off a hamstring problem which saw him limp out of the first leg in Manchester whilst the samba star picked up an injury over the weekend.

Benzema came off at half-time in Manchester Reuters

Boss Zinedine Zidane said: “Casemiro and Karim Benzema are different cases, we don’t want to risk Benzema at the moment and Casemiro has a slight problem.
“However we have a big squad that can help us cover all options.”
With Benzema a key part of Real’s attacking potency this season, Zidane has been quick to deny that he will change shape to adapt to the loss.

Karim Benzema super goals in training

Casemiro will not feature in the second leg AP:Associated Press

Pellegrini and Clichy preview Real Madrid

He explained: “I am not going to change tomorrow.
“It has always been the same and even more so playing at home.
“We hope we can have 90 minutes like in the second half in Manchester, and especially score, which is the most important thing in football.
“We have to think about ourselves and work the same, try to press and to apply all the intensity and focus for a Champions League semi-final.

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Ronaldo swims to get fit for Man City

“At the same time we have an opponent we know is going to make it difficult.”
Real have been given a huge boost after Cristiano Ronaldo was declared fit and ready to play — although sources close to the Portuguese superstar suggest he may only be 70% fit.
City or Real will face Atletico Madrid in the final after the Spaniards went through on away goals after a 2-1 defeat in Munich.