Real Madrid News
Benzema scores winner in three major Real Madrid comebacks this season
It does not require much effort on one’s part to identify Real Madrid’s saviour this season. While the team has been functioning as a single unit and every player is contributing his share, Karim Benzema has been a notch above.
It cannot be a coincidence that Real Madrid’s worst results this reason came during the Frenchman’s absence. Even the humiliating defeat at El Clasico was at a time when the striker was unavailable through injury.
Time and time again when Los Blancos have needed a hero, they have not had to look past Benzema. His importance has further increased in the past two months in which he single-handedly won his side games day in and day out.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have trailed in the tie on three occasions in the last month. They were 2-0 down on aggregate against Paris-Saint Germain, 3-0 down against Chelsea in the second leg, and trailed Sevilla by two goals last night.
Yet, on every single occasion, the team stepped up and delivered a comeback. Moreover, in all three games, the winner is accredited to the same name: Karim Benzema.
Against the French side, the forward scored a scintillating second-half hat-trick to power his side to a comeback. Needless to say, it was a special night by a special player who carried the entire team on his shoulders.
The scenario against Chelsea was different. Los Blancos trailed 3-0 in the second leg, but 4-3 on aggregate. With fifteen minutes to go, the team needed two goals to qualify.
A moment of magic from Luka Modric helped them equalise late in the game before Benzema struck the winner in extra time. What makes the goal more special is the fact that it was pre-planned as the Frenchman was seen discussing his movement with Vinicius before the goal.
Last night, Real Madrid once again found themselves in adversity as they trailed Sevilla by two goals. Rodrygo stepped up in the 50th minute before Nacho equalised ten minutes fr the final whistle.
With the scores tied at the end of 90 minutes, one expected the match to end in a stalemate. However, Benzema did it once again. Receiving the ball under pressure in the box, he took a few deft touches to get around the Sevilla defense before firing it home.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho does not want Real Madrid new signing to be affected by price tag, will continue slow integration
Real Madrid had an explosive summer transfer window with as many as six new big signings coming through to strengthen the first-team squad, while Sergio Martinez was also roped in with an eye on the future.
Up until Friday, things were going well for Jose Mourinho & co., but the 1-0 loss to Real Betis has put the team under the scanner once again.
Questions are being asked, in particular, of the club’s most explosive signing, Yan Diomande.
Mourinho not changing plans with Diomande
However, according to journalist Alvaro Esteban, Mourinho will continue with the plan of integrating Diomande slowly into the team.
The Real Madrid boss does not want the 19-year-old winger to be negatively affected by his massive price tag this summer and the pressure generated because of it.
After all, Los Blancos shelled out an enormous €125 million plus €15 million in add-ons to sign Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Should all the variables be met, he will become the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history. And, naturally, such a price tag brings with it a great deal of pressure.
As such, Mourinho wants to make sure that the Ivory Coast international is not affected in any way by the talk around his price tag and will continue to ease him into the team without rushing things.
Only a handful of minutes for Diomande
So far, Real Madrid have played four La Liga games this season and Diomande has not started even one of them.
Instead, Mourinho has opted to field Arda Guler on the right wing in three matches while Brahim Diaz started in the remaining one.
As for Diomande, he has come on as a substitute in each of the four games, but has only racked up a total of 83 minutes, without scoring or assisting a goal so far.
But, his limited minutes and slow integration are seemingly a part of Mourinho’s plans who is intent on not overexposing the teenage winger and put him under undue pressure due to the expectations that come with his price tag.
