When Real Madrid were held to a 2-2 draw by Elche at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, they squandered a perfect opportunity to extend their advantage over Sevilla to six points at the top of the La Liga Santander table.
Rather than that, everything continues as it is, with a four-point margin between the top two clubs after Sevilla were held to a draw earlier this week by Valencia.
Furthermore, the Los Blancos are awaiting the outcome of Karim Benzema’s medical examination.
The prolific Frenchman has been sensational for Real Madrid this season, scoring 22 goals in all competitions, and he has remained pretty fit. He was, however, forced to leave Sunday night’s play in the 58th minute owing to a left hamstring injury. He stepped directly into the tube, his leg noticeably grasped.
Real Madrid have not confirmed the severity of the injury and there is no word on how long the player will be sidelined. For the time being, numerous news sites indicate that the club’s focus is to ensure he is healthy for the club’s UEFA Champions League last-16 encounter against Paris Saint-Germain on February 15.
Benzema had a disappointing evening, failing to score a penalty after Vinicius Junior was hauled down inside the area. The Frenchman took the penalty kick and sent it soaring over the crossbar. Elche took the lead less than 10 minutes later, thanks to a stunning header from Lucas Boye from a Fidel cross.
Real Madrid fell behind 0-2 in the 76th minute when Pere Milla scored again, and the hosts were fortunate to salvage a point thanks to a late penalty by Luka Modric and a stoppage-time goal by Eder Militao.
To add insult to injury, Marca says that Benzema’s residence was broken into during the match at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Frenchman resides in a luxurious complex in San Sebastian de los Reyes, but it looks as though the area’s security measures were insufficient to deter criminals from targeting the unoccupied property.
There have been no details revealed regarding the damage or stolen property, and it is unknown whether any suspects have been apprehended.
