A collective victory before a possible individual consecration. Karim Benzema carried Real Madrid to a new success against their best enemy Barcelona (3-1), Sunday October 16, at Santiago-Bernabeu. On the eve of the delivery of the Ballon d’Or, of which he is the big favorite, “KB9” scored a goal (12th) to put his people in orbit. Fede Valverde (35th) and Rodrygo (90th + 2 from penalty) are the other scorers in this success, which allows the Merengues to take their ease at the top of La Liga, with three points ahead of Barça.
@Benzema: Synonym of quality. #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/plkBOeV7JS
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadridfra) October 16, 2022
His awakening is timely. After a shortage of a month and a half and some muscle problems, Benzema could not have dreamed of a better comeback. “He had problems, but he trained well this week”, said his trainer Carlo Ancelotti at the microphone of beIN Sports. Its purpose is a perfect summary of a service that is more applied than luminous. In ambush at the penalty spot, he relaxed his left foot to crucify a Marc-André Ter Stegen yet decisive a few moments earlier against Vinicius.
His joy could even have been doubled, but an offside position at the start of the action cooled him at the start of the second period. His sequence was however clear. Starting on the right of the surface, the Madrilenian had returned to his left foot to wrap in the small net (52nd). Just to bring up his block when Barça pushed afterwards, Benzema did not run away until his exit, in the 88th.
We even suspect Carlo Ancelotti of having replaced his captain so that his public recognize him to his full extent. The ovation received, with “Karim, Balon de Oro”, proved him right. The symbolism is strong: this aperitif before the glitter, Benzema drank it in front of Robert Lewandowski, one of his main rivals. The Pole – active but clumsy for his first Clasico – sees it too “probably win on Monday”. “He had an exceptional season, I also see him winning”, greeted his teammate Aurélien Tchouameni after the meeting. Imperial, the French midfielder was also, as were his midfield teammates Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
These two share, with Benzema, a professionalism allowing them to shine at the highest level despite the weight of the years. This regularity, this phlegm – particularly visible on Kroos’s ball comeback on the second goal – characterizes irresistible Madrid. Their experience, in dealing with emotions when Barcelona were pushing to come back, did the rest. There lies the famous “gap class” that there was between Barcelonans still traumatized by their European disappointment and Merengues still sure of themselves. The famous detail that makes the difference, and allows Real to take control of La Liga alone.