Real Madrid: Regarding the depth behind Karim Benzema
By Ben Sundock
Real Madrid has struggled for well over a year now to find a reliable backup to Karim Benzema at the striker position. Recent injuries and the delay in the La Liga campaign call in to question the depth available to manager Zinedine Zidane once again.
Although we are still over a month away from seeing Real Madrid back on the pitch playing matches, there is a huge issue the team needs to address while shaking off the rust in training.
The team is noticeably lacking a reliable backup number nine who can either fill in for the Big Benz to give him a break or come off the bench to provide energy when a goal is paramount. During the 2018/2019 campaign, Mariano Diaz was the only other striker on the first-team roster who could slide in and play close to the same role as Benzema.
Even then, he wasn’t picked often by Zidane. He made 19 total appearances, playing fewer than 1,000 minutes, and made just four starts in three competitions.
There seems to be a problem between Zizou and Mariano since the striker has made only a few appearances this season as well. Now, the number 24 for Real Madrid is listed as injured alongside the only other striker on the roster, Luka Jovic.
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Jovic fractured his right foot in a freak accident just days before returning to Madrid for coronavirus testing and the beginning of training. The problem will keep the Serbian international on the bench for at least a month and a half, so, what does Zidane do?
If Mariano is out with only a minor problem, then he should without a doubt receive meaningful minutes. And, since the club has failed to disclose why he is training inside with Jovic, my inclination is that there is nothing wrong with him.
With FIFA set to allow five substitutes a match due to the congested new schedule, Karim will need time to rest and Zidane will need to monitor his minute load closely.
The only other viable option I can think of if the two backup strikers cannot play is moving Gareth Bale to the number nine or Rodrygo Goes if Bale is not fit (which would not be surprising).
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The good news here is that the club still has time on their hands to prepare accordingly and hopefully get both guys back healthy before La Liga resumes. If Real Madrid is to win both the league and make a run in the Champions League, they must have everyone at full strength.