Real Madrid confirm Karim Benzema muscular injury while Cristiano Ronaldo misses training

Real Madrid have issued an official statement to confirm that Karim Benzema suffered a "muscle injury in his left hamstring" during the Champions League goalless draw with Manchester City on Tuesday night (26 April) and will need to be assessed in the coming days to know whether he is available for the second leg.

The club, meanwhile, have offered no update to the situation of Cristiano Ronaldo, although it did confirm that the Portuguese star missed the Thursday training session along with the French striker as Los Blancos began the preparations for their Saturday trip to Real Sociedad.

Benzema was forced to be replace by Jese Rodriguez at half-time during the first-leg semi-final against Manchester City after he had already arrived to the game with a muscular problem, having also unable to complete the previous La Liga game against Rayo Vallecano on weekend. Ronaldo, meanwhile, missed both the game with Rayo and the visit to the Etihad Stadium after he suffered a muscular injury during the victory over Villarreal on 20 April.

Zidane, speaking in the press conference after the game against City, said that both players will need to be monitored in the coming days to know whether they will be available for the second leg with City, suggesting that the game against Real Sociedad on weekend will come too soon for the duo.

The Real Madrid boss said: "I said that they were 100% fit (in the preview of the game) but that we'd have to see how they did in the last training session, Cristiano Ronaldo felt something and so he didn't play. The issue with Karim was a bit different, but it was gradually getting worse and we didn't want to risk him. They're two important players and we hope that they're back for the second leg. We'll take it day-by- day and look at it with the doctors."

Real Madrid have now claimed a scan Benzema underwent on Thursday morning confirmed that he suffered a "muscle injury in his left hamstring."

"Following tests carried out today on the player Karim Benzema at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left hamstring. His recovery will continue to be assessed," the club confirmed, before refusing to set a deadline day for his return to action.

The Spanish giants, meanwhile, have failed to give further updates on Ronaldo situation. Yet, reports in Spain claims that the former Manchester United hero is still struggling with a muscular problem and remains a major doubt for the second leg with City.

The club did confirm that the Portuguese star and Benzema missed the Thursday training session as the rest of their teammates began the preparations for the crucial trip to Anoeta, with Los Blancos in need to secure a victory to keep their hopes to win La Liga title, being current one point behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with just three games left.

"Real Madrid have turned their attentions to the game against Real Sociedad. The Whites carried out their first training session before their visit to the Anoeta (Saturday, 4:00pm, CEST), where they will again be looking to get three points in their fight for the La Liga," the club said. "Zidane involved Borja Mayoral, Marcos Llorente and Martin Odegaard; while Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema continue with their respective recovery processes."