Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been up-and-down this season, but he could heat up when his team needs him most.
On Wednesday night, Real Madrid will play their most important game of the season thus far against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League. If they win, they are into the Round of 16. If they lose, they could be headed for the Europa League or worse. And a tie is a roll of the dice for Real.
Karim Benzema could have a key role to play in that game, and he’ll also be crucial in the upcoming Derbi vs. Atletico Madrid.
Let’s make three predictions for the legendary Real Madrid striker in the final weeks of 2020.
Karim Benzema will return to form against Gladbach
Real Madrid missed Karim Benzema for a few games after he suffered an injury before the November international break at the Mestalla. Benzema’s absence meant that Mariano Diaz had to start, and aside from an early goal at the Estadio de la Ceramica in a 1-1 draw with Villarreal, Mariano was pretty awful.
There’s a clear downgrade between Benzema and the other strikers on Real Madrid. None of them create chances like Benzema or have his skill on the ball. And while we do criticize Benz’s goal-scoring frequently, he is absolutely a more proven scorer than either Luka Jovic or Mariano. Jovic has the potential to be better, but we’ve yet to see it.
Benzema is in a big spot against Gladbach, and I have full confidence he will deliver. In the biggest games, he usually does. Even if he does not score, Benzema could win the game with his passing and dribbling, which are major assets he possesses.