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Benzema struggling for Lyon return

Real Madrid CF striker Karim Benzema faces a race to recover from a groin problem in time to face former club Olympique Lyonnais in the first knockout round.

Karim Benzema spent five seasons at Lyon
Karim Benzema spent five seasons at Lyon ©Getty Images

Karim Benzema has been ruled out for seven days and could therefore miss the first leg of Real Madrid CF's UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against Olympique Lyonnais.

The 22-year-old, who joined Los Merengues from Lyon in last summer, complained of discomfort in his left leg while training on Tuesday and is expected to be absent for a week with swelling to his groin. The nine-time European champions visit the Stade de Gerland on 16 February, with the return in the Spanish capital on 10 March. Benzema has scored seven league goals in 19 appearances for Madrid, having struck 43 times in 112 games for Les Gones.