Real Madrid: Karim Benzema’s potential impact on El Derbi

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been out injured since the 2-0 win over Valencia on Feb. 14 when he opened the scoring before being subbed off in the last 10 minutes. His status for this weekend’s match against Atletico Madrid has been in doubt, but there is now optimism that he can start the match.

It’s not a stretch to say that Benzema is Real’s most important player. Whereas Real can do some juggling in midfield and have Nacho Fernandez rising up as Sergio Ramos’ injury replacement, they literally have nobody in the squad who can bring the goals or even the all-around play of their legendary No. 9.

The drop-off between Benzema and Mariano Diaz these last few weeks has been massive, frustrating Madridistas. Mariano has offered no goal-scoring threat, and he obviously does not bring Benzema’s chance-creation or dribbling skills to the table.

Last season, Benzema was the difference-maker in a 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, and although he did not score in El Derbi earlier this season, he was a part of the winning side in a dominant 2-0 victory for Los Merengues.

Karim Benzema can be a game-changer for Real Madrid if he starts

Benzema’s return can be a game-changer for Real Madrid. It means they don’t have to start Rodrygo Goes if he is not 100 percent ready to play 90 minutes yet, as he came off the bench for the first time in months after suffering an injury vs. Granada. And it also means they don’t have to use Marco Asensio or Isco up top, as Mariano’s own injury means that Hugo Duro would have been the only healthy striker in the squad.

Atletico Madrid still have the best defense in the league with 16 goals surrendered in 24 games played. Although Real Madrid got the better of them twice earlier this season, they would’ve been at serious risk of being shut out by Jan Oblak this Sunday without Benzema. After all, they needed a late goal from Vinicius Junior to rescue a point on Monday night against Real Sociedad.

Benzema can bring Vinicius, Isco, Fede Valverde, Marco Asensio, or whoever else teams up with him in the attack into the game. Every forward and attacking midfielder benefits from Benz’s very presence. Furthermore, with 12 goals this season, Benz has more than double the next highest scorer in the league, which is defensive midfielder Casemiro.

Atleti’s center backs are tough to contend with, but Benzema makes the job a lot easier with his movement and ability to create magic in and outside the box. Who else can offer that quality on Real Madrid? Rodrygo is very good, but even the 20-year-old does not match Benz’s consistency or technical quality (yet, at least).

If Benzema cannot play, Real will struggle to score. It would honestly be a surprise if he did. But if he can start, the No. 9 could even help Los Blancos accomplish the rare feat of having scored multiple goals twice against Atleti in one season – and at the Wanda, no less.