Is it possible for Real Madrid to bench Karim Benzema?
Luka Jovic received back-to-back starts for Real Madrid for the first time since joining the team in the summer 2019 transfer window. He had an up-and-down game against Real Betis, but he was very good against Real Valladolid before leaving the game in the second half to make way for a 4-3-3 formation that helped spark the winning goal for Vinicius Junior.
On Sunday, Los Blancos struggled to score after Vinicius’ curled opener, leading many fans to wonder if Zinedine Zidane would call off the struggling Benzema, who had messed up a couple of more great chances, for the ascending Jovic.
Zidane held off on making that change, and it ended up being the right decision. Benzema sealed the game in stoppage time by stopping on a dime and stroking the ball into the net past Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez.
Benzema’s had a slow start to the season, but it’s so tough to take him off the pitch when Real Madrid need goals. He’s the best forward on the team and helped carry the team attacking-wise in both 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.
Jovic needs minutes, but it’s hard to see Real Madrid being willing to take Benzema off the pitch in order to give him those minutes. Benzema is too important to the team.