Real Madrid: 4 keys to overtaking Atleti and winning La Liga

Real Madrid must supply Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema could be La Liga’s Player of the Season when it is all said and done. He was the MVP of the league last year in leading Real Madrid to the league title, and we may be seeing a repeat performance from a man who has carried this attack for three years running without Cristiano Ronaldo.

The French No. 9 has 19 goals and 6 assists in La Liga this season, as he is averaging nearly one goal contribution per match. Benzema’s importance to the team goes beyond goals and assists, too, as he is consistently crafting chances for the wide forwards and leading counterattacks.

But sometimes he’s let down by the players around him. Benzema should actually have more assists, but there are so many times when Marco Asensio or Vinicius Junior (mostly the former than the latter, to be honest) make the wrong decision with their runs. And that’s not to mention the finishing woes.

So they must help Benz out as a creator, but Benz also needs help when it comes to creation from other players. Lucas Vazquez, who assisted the striker in El Clasico, is out for the rest of the season. He was one of Real’s leaders with five assists and 1.8 key passes per game, according to WhoScored.com. Dani Carvajal’s return would ease that issue, but if he misses more time, who steps up to supply chances from wide positions?