For the first time in nearly a year, the trio of Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Cristiano Ronaldo will be available to manager Zinedine Zidane Sunday as Real Madrid face Deportivo La Coruña. Here is why their return to the lineup is crucial to Madrid’s success.
After 273 days, the BBC could make their first start Sunday as Real Madrid look to get back to winning ways in the league.
The last time all three started a match together was in April of 2017 in El Clásico with Barcelona scoring late to win 3-2 in Madrid. Since, it has been a constant rotation of injuries between the three forwards and with all healthy going into tomorrow’s clash (knock on wood) Zidane will finally have his three best forwards on the pitch together once again.
Buenos días, aquí tenéis la #PortadaAS del 20 de enero de 2018 pic.twitter.com/fjtsIjOPBm
— Diario AS (@diarioas) January 20, 2018
Zizou said in his pre-match press conference Saturday that he is very excited for the return of his three very talented players. “The three will be with us. It is always positive to have players of such quality back from injury. I am very happy to have these three magnificent players back, who have not played much this year. We will see if they all start tomorrow, but the most important is to have them back for the team, they bring a lot of attacking power to the team.”
The return of the coveted ‘BBC’ could not come at a better time for Los Blancos as they try to make up ground on rivals FC Barcelona. Ronaldo and Benzema have been out of sorts all year long in league play while Gareth Bale has been the best forward option for the Royal Whites.
When these three prolific forwards are healthy and playing together, it is a nightmare for opposing defenses. Thanks to the pace of Ronaldo and Bale on the wings, The Big Benz has room to operate in the middle of the formation.
When Karim has the ability to poach rather than having to help build up the attack, good things happen.
For the first time in a couple months, Real Madrid fans have something to look forward to and should be excited to see these three guys on the field. The reason I am optimistic about their return is because of the incredible potential it holds.
With Bale playing well recently, this could be the match where both Benzema and Ronaldo break out of their cold streak and start to produce like all us fans expect.
With the Champions League round of 16 looming in the near future, these three have a chance to get back in the swing of things and get their chemistry back before facing a very talented Paris Saint-Germain side.
Next: Real Madrid vs. Deportivo de La Coruña – La Liga match preview
Will Zidane elect to start all three and return to the 4-3-3 formation? I don’t see why not.
It worked great last season and if it is anywhere as successful this year, this team should see a complete turn around in goal scoring and form.