Karim Benzema leading Zinedine Zidane’s French revolution at Real Madrid

On point: Karim Benzema
AP
Ben Hayward21 April 2019

“Real Madrid’s number nine,” the fans chanted. Once again, Karim Benzema lifted Los Blancos above the ordinary, his hat-trick securing a 3-0 win at home to Athletic Club in La Liga.

Ahead of a summer of renewal at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Frenchman’s place seems secure. A bright light in a dark season, the 31-year-old is leading Zinedine Zidane’s revolution at Real.

Benzema bagged two headers and netted his hat-trick with a lob after Athletic goalkeeper Iago Herrerin had come charging out of his area to clear. “Karim, Karim, Karim Benzema,” the supporters sang. One again, he had made the difference.

The French forward has now scored Madrid’s last eight goals: the winner against Huesca, a consolation at Valencia, both in the 2-1 over Eibar, the leveller at Leganes and three here. No Real player had ever netted six consecutively in the club's entire history, let alone eight.

That is eight out of 10 goals since Zidane took over from previous coach Santiago Solari and a day before the Argentine was sacked, Karim also hit two in Los Blancos’ 4-1 win at Valladolid.

His hat-trick against Athletic made it 30 this term in all competitions, which is already his second-highest return in his 10 campaigns as a Madrid player. His best was in 2011-12, when he netted 32 times, but he is on course to improve that mark.

Eyebrows were raised back in September when Julen Lopetegui said Karim Benzema could score “30 or 40 goals” for Madrid this season, but the Frenchman has hit the first of those figures and there are five fixtures still remaining.

Lopetegui was constantly asked where the goals would come from following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, but the Portuguese – without Benzema to help him – has managed only 26 goals this season for Juventus and 20 if penalties are taken out of the equation. Meanwhile, only two of Karim’s have come from the spot.

“Everyone knows what he can bring to the team,” Zidane said. “It’s impressive what he is doing in terms of goals and I’m happy for him. He has a lot of confidence and he always wants to improve.”

Asked if he thought Benzema was the best striker in the world, he said: “Everyone has their preferences. [But] for me he is the best.”

AP

With 222 strikes for the club, the former Lyon forward is sixth on the list of Madrid’s all-time top scorers, but his contribution is not limited to goals.

“He is an extraordinary player and I would like to talk about what he does on the pitch,” Zidane said. “There aren’t many players in his position who link up like he does. He knows the others play for him and when he has confidence, he scores. The others like giving him the ball. They know that if they do, he will score.”

Benzema still could do with a better back-up than Mariano, but his is one position where a 'Galactico' signing is not needed. The Frenchman has shown he will be a big part of Madrid’s future under Zidane – even as a summer of rebuilding awaits.

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