Real Madrid: Predicting 2019-2020 goals and assists
Expectations are high for Real Madrid in 2019-2020 after more than 300 million euros were spent on the summer transfer market, but how much production will reinforcements like Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic provide to the squad?
Last season, Real Madrid finished third in La Liga and failed to make it to the semifinals of the Champions League. There were several weak points in the squad, but Real’s most obvious deficiencies were in attack. Gareth Bale had an off year, the team struggled to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, and the midfield had a huge letdown season.
That said, Karim Benzema was a huge bright spot, as the prolific No. 9 scored 21 goals in 36 league appearances. Nobody else on Real scored double-digit goals last season, with Bale’s eight goals and center back Sergio Ramos’s six in the runner-up positions.
Will anyone else join Benzema with 20 goals this season? Could it be Bale? How will Eden Hazard do? Let’s try to predict Real’s top providers of goals and assists for the 2019-2020 La Liga campaign.
Karim Benzema
23 Goals, 8 Assists
Although Benzema is 31 years old, he could have one of the best seasons of his career in 2019-2020. The former Lyon star has already grabbed two goals and an assist in three appearances this season, and he could very well finish the campaign with an average of one combined goal and assist per 90 minutes.
Prior to bagging 21 goals in 2018-2019, Benzema hadn’t exceeded the 20-goal threshold in three years. That’s because he spent increasingly more time doing the dirty work, playing passes and holding up play for Ronaldo, Bale, and others.
But last season, especially with Bale faltering, Benzema was the focal point of Real’s attack.
Even with Hazard coming, Jovic chomping at the bit, Rodrygo Goes on the bench, Mariano Diaz hungry to prove himself to Zinedine Zidane, and Vinicius Jr. ready for more chances to shine, Benzema will remain the clear focal point of Real’s attack.
A 20-goal season is essentially a guarantee for Benzema, who should actually score more goals this year. Why? Well, he has Europe’s top assister in Hazard joining him, and Real’s attack should be superior to last year’s, thus giving Benzema more chances. And expect to see Benzema turning provider for his teammates frequently.