Actual Madrid striker Karim Benzema will miss Sunday's Clasico in opposition to Barcelona on the Santiago Bernabeu after struggling a calf damage, coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed.

Benzema, LaLiga's high scorer, was absent from Actual's Saturday coaching session in Madrid and can focus over the subsequent two weeks on getting match for subsequent month's Champions League quarter-final matches in opposition to Chelsea.

"Benzema remains to be hurting and might't play on Sunday. He will not journey with France subsequent week and can keep in Madrid to get better," Ancelotti instructed a information convention on Saturday, referring to the worldwide break when Benzema had been scheduled to affix the France squad for friendlies in opposition to Ivory Price and South Africa.

"Benzema is an important a part of our group as a result of he's the ultimate hyperlink up entrance, ending the complete group's effort very nicely. I am not anxious as a result of we now have two weeks to work on him getting match. We've got time to arrange him for the top of the season."

The striker was injured after grabbing an help and two late objectives as LaLiga leaders Actual defeated Mallorca 3-0 on Monday. He scored a hat-trick of their 3-1, come-from-behind, last-16 Champions League win over Paris St Germain final week.

"I consider Benzema's damage occurred on the proper time," Ancelotti stated.

"He's 34 years outdated and people sort of issues can occur. If he was match he must journey along with his nationwide group, come again drained. Now he'll keep right here with us and prepare the correct approach. Each time he got here again from an damage he got here again stronger. I am relying on him to make the distinction."

Actual will host bitter rivals Barca on Sunday with the chance to strengthen their maintain on the title race.

With 66 factors from 28 video games, Carlo Ancelotti's aspect have a 10-point benefit over second-placed Sevilla and are 15 forward of Barca in third.

With 11 matches to play, they're on a excessive and have a LaLiga-European Cup double of their sights.

However Ancelotti stated he was cautious of Barca's present type, on a four-game profitable streak and taking part in with numerous confidence.

"I consider coach Xavi Hernandez is doing an amazing job," Ancelotti stated.

"You'll be able to see that Barca's id is there and did not change. It's a group with a really clear fashion and Xavi embodies it completely. Barcelona have improved lots, they're in dynamic."