4. Experience up front for Los Blancos
As mentioned earlier, all Real Madrid realistically needs to seal this tie is one away goal and it is expected of Karim Benzema to have a major involvement in that goal. King Karim is in fine form, he scored an absolute wonder back-heel goal in El Clasico and is currently ranked second in the Pichichi race with 19 goals, second to only Lionel Messi who has 23.
However, even if the Frenchman doesn’t find the required finish he can create a goal for Madrid as he did in the first leg for Vini’s second. He has been in great assisting form too. He has six assists by his name in the league, only two less than Toni Kroos, Real Madrid’s best, per WhoScored.com.
Benzema’s involvement has been way more than the goals that he has scored. Honestly, his goals are only the tip of the iceberg. He has been playing deep helping the midfield and leading buildups. In El Clasico, he even made contributions defensively. His off-the-ball runs have been pin-point and he brings up that unexpected factor on the pitch, the opener against Barcelona for example.
He would be playing against an under-experienced defense that would make his job all the more easier. The Reds would be missing their senior defenders, Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip and in their absence, Benz is expected to take full advantage, run into the open spaces, and put Real in scoring positions. Add on, he didn’t score in the first leg and he would love to find the net before the tie ends.