Karim Benzema returns as Real Madrid eye Champions League knockout stage
Real Madrid will focus on sealing a place in the Champions League knockout stage with a win against Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw on Tuesday and striker Karim Benzema will be back in the team to help, coach Carlo Ancelotti said. Real Madrid are top of Group F on a maximum nine points from three games and a win against second-placed Shakhtar -- on five points -- will take them into the knockout phase. "Qualifying from the group stage is the first goal of the season because it comes very early, very fast and the sooner we do it, the better," Ancelotti told a news conference on Monday. "Clearly, mentally, this can give you more energy for the (Spanish league). But we also have to keep in mind that Real Madrid in the Champions League can't think about not playing a serious match."
