Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 7y

'It does not matter' that Real Madrid finished second in Group F - Benzema

Real Madrid goalscorer Karim Benzema has admitted his disappointment at finishing second in Champions League Group F behind Borussia Dortmund, however the striker says his side are still on track to lift the trophy.

Madrid seemed set for a victory in Wednesday's group decider at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu when Benzema scored once in either half, but a young Dortmund team came back to equalise through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and substitute Marco Reus.

This meant that Dortmund kept top spot in the group and will be seeded for the last 16, while Madrid go into next week's draw as a runners-up, although this year the strength of the teams in two pots looks pretty even.

The France international told BeIn after the game that his team's main objective was still to come and for now finishing first or second in the group was not so concerning.

"The objective was to win the group," Benzema admitted. "But to win the Champions League it does not matter if you finish first or second.

"For me it was important to score, but I am disappointed with the result. We wanted to win the game. But we knew we were up against a good team."

Benzema had been criticised in some quarters recently, having not scored in La Liga since October and being quiet in last weekend's Clasico at Barcelona, and said he himself had also been unhappy with his form.

"To score was important for me, it is for everyone," he said. "I was unhappy with my own performances. I always want to give my best and I am upset when I cannot help the team. I understand and accept the criticism.

"This is a great club where the demands are the highest. I have the confidence of the coach, and my teammates, so I am happy about that."

Currently exiled from the France national squad while awaiting a court date after being embroiled in a sex-tape blackmail scandal with former teammate Mathieu Valbuena, Benzema said he was still hopeful of being recalled to the Les Bleus set-up soon.

"I work hard to return some day," he said. "The most important things for me are France and Madrid. But at the moment I am focused on my club. We will see what happens with the national team."

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