Real Madrid: 5 players who need to shine in March 2021

CF Karim Benzema

Another forward makes the list, but Karim Benzema does so for a different reason from Marco Asensio. Whereas Asensio has failed to produce, Benzema has done nothing but produce. And that’s because he must. If he is not leading Los Blancos in goals and assists as one of the league’s best overall players, then this team is toast. They rely on him more than any single player, as we have seen whenever he is not available due to injury.

Benzema should be back for the fixture against Atletico Madrid – and not a moment too soon. The French No. 9 was missed badly against Atalanta, as Real Madrid needed a wondergoal from left back Ferland Mendy in order to defeat a 10-man Atalanta in Bergamo.

Prior to his injury, the 33-year-old striker had four goals in his last five La Liga matches. Benzema’s had a few rich veins of goal-scoring form this season, and he will definitely be needed in El Derbi and against Atalanta on Mar. 16 at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. And even after the Champions League fixture, Celta Vigo are no walk in the park either.

Madridistas have every reason to believe that Benzema will deliver the goods, so this entry is more about an acknowledgment of how much he matters to the club. In many ways, if Benzema is scoring, then Real Madrid are winning.