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MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 20: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF strikes the ball during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RC Deportivo La Coruna at Santiago Bernabeu on October 20, 2012 in Madrid, Spain.
Madrid, Nov 11 – Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho brushed aside striker Karim Benzema‘s grouse that he is not playing much first team football this season.
In an interview published in French paper, L’Equipe, Frenchman Benzema said he was spending more time on the subs’ bench than on the pitch, reports Xinhua.
When asked about his striker’s comments during his pre-game press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s Primera Liga game away to Levante, Mourinho said Benzema spent 90 minutes of every game on the bench.
Benzema will miss Sunday’s match with a muscle injury, along with Gonzalo Higuain, who is out for a month with a torn muscle.
Mourinho commented that Cristiano Ronaldo would play as a central striker in the game with Angel de Maria and Jose Callejon in the side, against a Levante team that defeated Madrid last season.
“You have to play against everyone and at times you have sides that have different priorities,” said Mourinho of the defense Levante team.
“You have to be able to impose your football and if you can’t do that you have to adapt to the characteristics of your rival. It is not just tough for us to win. It is a difficult stadium to visit and if their style gives them then who are we to criticize them,” he commented
Mourinho was also asked about Brazilian midfielder Kaka, who is very much a bit-part player at the club despite having cost 65 million euros.
The coach explained the Brazilian helped the team whenever he was on the pitch and complained the press were always asking about him and Mesut Ozil.
“When one plays, you ask about the other and vice-versa,” he commented, before being asked for his opinions of the season to date.
“The season ends in May and we will speak about that then. We hope to play better, but the team is working hard, ambitious, wants to win and wants to improve,” concluded Mourinho.
