Real Madrid fell to Real Betis 2-1 at the Benito Villamarin, and here are five players who must step up with Eibar and Manchester City on the horizon.
There is no way to sugarcoat it. Real Madrid were shockingly poor against Real Betis on Sunday, falling 2-1 to the bottom-half side. The scoreline actually flatters Real, who gave up so many good counterattacking opportunities to Los Verdiblancos that they could have easily lost by three goals.
Real Madrid will have a chance to bounce back next week on Friday when they take on Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu, but then it will be back to business with a tough matchup at the Etihad against Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Here are five players on Los Blancos who must step up in order for the team to lose more points in a tight title race with FC Barcelona.
CF Karim Benzema
No player has been under the microscope more than Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who finally got on the score sheet on Matchday 27 against Real Betis. The goal is just his second in the last 11 league appearances, as he’s only netted twice in La Liga in 2020.
However, Benzema was poor aside from that goal, which came courtesy of a penalty. He failed to get into dangerous positions in open play and even gifted Betis the eventual winner with an inexcusably sloppy pass in midfield.
If Benzema doesn’t step it up against Eibar, Real Madrid will have serious concerns about their ability to score vital away goals against Manchester City in the Champions League.