Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine against Real Sociedad

Real Madrid CF Karim Benzema

Of course, Karim Benzema will be entrusted to score the goals for Real Madrid. The club wouldn’t have won the league last season without Benzema’s goal-scoring prowess, as Sergio Ramos, the primary penalty taker, was the only other player with double-digit scoring figures in La Liga for the 2019-2020 season.

But Benzema offers more than goals, which will be important to keep in mind on Sunday. Without Eden Hazard or Isco and no option of Martin Odegaard, Benzema’s ability to drop off creatively and support youngsters Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes will be an undersold key to victory.

That said, the goals will be paramount. Real Madrid have no alternatives at striker on Sunday with Luka Jovic still nursing a foot issue. No Marco Asensio means that a goal threat on the right side is gone, too.

Benzema may be the most important player on the pitch for either team at the Anoeta Stadium for La Liga’s Matchday 2. He’s decided so many games for Real Madrid over the past two seasons, and the 2020-2021 season will be no different with no incoming signings for Zinedine Zidane. Look for Benzema to find the back of the net and help pull the strings to bridge the center of the midfield with the rest of the attack. He is a point guard, swingman, and center  in one player.