Real Madrid: No La Liga connection matches Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema
Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema are a joy to watch together at Real Madrid.
Back in late October and early November when Eden Hazard was fully healthy and first feeling comfortable in the Real Madrid squad, he and Karim Benzema were unstoppable together. They orchestrated blowout wins over Eibar on the road, Real Sociedad, and more, as Hazard had Real playing to their fullest potential as an attacking side.
Spanish football’s return has included Hazard’s return from a second serious ankle injury, and the Belgian superstar has been just as marvelous as he was in the Fall. Hazard has helped Real score three times against Valencia and Eibar, and he played a role in the club’s 2-0 win over Mallorca in a totally different position, starting as an attacking midfielder.
The FIFA 20 cover star has been used in more versatile ways by Zinedine Zidane since the start of June, popping up on the right frequently in the win over Eibar in addition to his role as the No. 10 against Mallorca.
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It’s been especially wonderful to see Hazard and Benzema working together like the two were never apart on the pitch, though injuries and COVID-19 stood in the way of their unstoppable connection at various points in the 2019-2020 season.
Hazard has recorded two assists, six key passes, six dribbles completed, and five fouls drawn since the restart, per WhoScored.com. Benzema, meanwhile, has three goals, eight dribbles completed, and six key passes.
The two Real Madrid forwards have been at the heart of Los Blancos’ brilliance. In four games, Real have yet to drop points and are back in first place. Better yet, their success is sustainable.
In 2020, Real were essentially being carried by their defense and had major issues scoring goals, especially when Hazard was injured. Now, Real have scored at least two goals in each of their four games since La Liga’s return.
Barcelona though they would have an unstoppable attacking duo in Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi, and Atletico Madrid likely had high hopes for a big/little combination of Diego Costa and Joao Felix up top.
Yet Real Madrid quite clearly have the most devastating, functional, versatile, and creative forward partnership in Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard. Only injuries somewhat held back the two from tearing apart defenses, and when they both start drifting left and linking up together, it’s game over for the opposition.
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Finding a way to bring Vinicius Junior into the starting lineup regularly and get the most out of all three star players as starters will be Zinedine Zidane’s next task in the manager’s seat. But for now, Madridistas have to relish their forward duo, which has been on a level of class that nobody else in La Liga can come close to touching.