Benzema Being Saved For Barca Return Leg?

Lyon is currently en route to an eighth straight Ligue1 title, but that could have suffered a huge hit after this weekend. According to the French media, Lyon forward Karim Benzema will miss this week’s matchups against Lille but will be ready to go for the Champions League return leg against Barcelona next week. The French international was taken off the pitch in a stretcher in Sunday’s 1-1 against Rennes after suffering a collision with a Rennes defender. He was replaced by Frederic Piquionne in the 75th minute.

According to preliminary analysis, the Lyon star suffered a lower back injury suffered after he collided with a player during the second half. Manager Claude Puel stated that this was the reason for his terrible discomfort when he was walking on the pitch during the second half of the match, thus was he was left with no choice but to take him out. Benzema will now be out at midweek during the Coupe de France and Ligue1 matchups against Lille this week.

With the draw on Sunday and PSG’s 4-1 win against Nancy, Lyon’s lead was trimmed down to four.