Frenchman was Real's brightest spark
Benzema's brilliance goes unrewarded
Pablo Polo 03/23/2015
The joy of victory probably helped them get to sleep, but Gerard Piqué and Jérémy Mathieu may well have had nightmares about Karim Benzema after the 'Clásico'.
The Frenchman proved impossible to get to grips with for the Barça backline, as exemplified by his back-heel lay-off for Cristiano Ronaldo's goal - his ninth assist in the league this season and a Guti-esque touch of genius.
That wasn't the sum of Benzema's contribution. The former Lyon man was twice thwarted by Claudio Bravo in the second half, including one strike that deflected off a Barcelona defender on its way to goal. The 27-year-old pulled his markers all over the place, running through the middle, working the channels, dropping deep to collect the ball and picking out passes aplenty - it was from his delightfully weighted cross that Ronaldo left the crossbar rattling when the match was still goalless.
On top of his role going forward, Benzema also put in a shift defensively, winning back possession in the middle of the park and even repelling the odd Barça corner.
Despite his efforts, however, Benzema's brilliance would be unrewarded. He may have created a goal, but his overall display - he was the standout performer of Real Madrid's BBC - deserved a better result.
Read more: Real Madrid: Karim Benzema's brilliance goes unrewarded - MARCA.com (English version)
Benzema's brilliance goes unrewarded
Pablo Polo 03/23/2015
The joy of victory probably helped them get to sleep, but Gerard Piqué and Jérémy Mathieu may well have had nightmares about Karim Benzema after the 'Clásico'.
The Frenchman proved impossible to get to grips with for the Barça backline, as exemplified by his back-heel lay-off for Cristiano Ronaldo's goal - his ninth assist in the league this season and a Guti-esque touch of genius.
That wasn't the sum of Benzema's contribution. The former Lyon man was twice thwarted by Claudio Bravo in the second half, including one strike that deflected off a Barcelona defender on its way to goal. The 27-year-old pulled his markers all over the place, running through the middle, working the channels, dropping deep to collect the ball and picking out passes aplenty - it was from his delightfully weighted cross that Ronaldo left the crossbar rattling when the match was still goalless.
On top of his role going forward, Benzema also put in a shift defensively, winning back possession in the middle of the park and even repelling the odd Barça corner.
Despite his efforts, however, Benzema's brilliance would be unrewarded. He may have created a goal, but his overall display - he was the standout performer of Real Madrid's BBC - deserved a better result.
Read more: Real Madrid: Karim Benzema's brilliance goes unrewarded - MARCA.com (English version)
