Benzema's Alpine break-cum-boot camp

Posted Friday, August 01, 2014 by Marca.com

Karim Benzema is once again enjoying a getaway in the Italian Alps ahead of the upcoming season. The France forward is mixing his holidays with an attempt to steadily get his fitness up to speed before he reports back for duty.

Like last year, the Real Madrid man has been following a special conditioning programme at the Espace Henri Chenot, in the Dolomites (in the north of Italy). This is a world-renowned health and wellness clinic that Zinedine Zidane used to swear by during his playing days.

Players who head to the Espace Henri Chenot are given a personalised diet plan and are able to train in state-of-the-art facilities.

Benzema knows that he has no time to lose this year. With the first competitive match of the season, the UEFA Super Cup clash with Sevilla in Cardiff, falling as early as 12th August, the Frenchman is eager to arrive at Valdebebas on the 1st having done a large chunk of the 'homework' set by Carlo Ancelotti.

The former Lyon man is coming off the back of one of his best seasons at the Bernabéu and is considered a key cog in Ancelotti's system owing to his ability to link up with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo up front.