Effenberg: Real Madrid stronger for letting Benzema leave

Former Bayern Munich captain Steffen Effenberg feels Real Madrid are stronger after losing Karim Benzema last summer.

Benzema left Real for Al-Ittihad as reigning Ballon d'Or winner.

But Effenberg told Kicker: "The mix of experienced stars and talented, hungry players. Furthermore, Carlo Ancelotti is a coach who simply feels comfortable in Madrid and identifies with the task.

"Perhaps it was even good for Real Madrid that Karim Benzema said goodbye and that Vinicius Jnior and company were free to play in the foreground.

"Real still has this hunger. They are simply Real Madrid, that is the myth.

"There are moments in the knockout matches when you have to react and change something. Look at Madrid with Luka Modric or Toni Kroos, who know how to read a game and how to act. With an average age of 23 years you will not win the Champions League. At most it means: round of 16, applause, out."