Real Madrid News
Real Madrid won’t be same without Benzema, says Barcelona star: “Will be an important loss”
Speaking in an interview with MARCA, Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele has claimed that Real Madrid will not be the same without Karim Benzema following the veteran striker’s departure to Al-Ittihad.
Benzema brought an end to his 14-year partnership with Real Madrid this summer, opting to move to Saudi Arabia on a free transfer after receiving a lucrative contract offer from Al-Ittihad.
And despite strong efforts being made to replace him with a superstar name such as Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona star Dembele is of the opinion that Los Blancos will not be the same without his compatriot Benzema.
“Without Benzema, Real Madrid loses a lot because he is the Ballon d’Or and a great player. Real Madrid without Benzema is not the same. It will be a very important loss. And also for La Liga, because he’s a player who scores a lot of goals, gives assists… and he’s a phenomenal player,” Dembele said.
As for possible replacements, Mbappe has been linked heavily with a move to Real Madrid despite the PSG superstar insisting he wishes to remain in France for the next season.
Dembele, who is currently with Mbappe in the French national team camp, was asked about the potential transfer of his good friend to Real Madrid, to which he replied: “I don’t know (laughs). I don’t know, let’s see what will happen in the next few years. I don’t know if he will leave PSG.”
The Frenchman was also asked to select one Real Madrid player he would like to sign at Barcelona, and he replied with the name of midfield icon Luka Modric, saying:
“Modric. I like Ter Stegen a lot, but Courtois is a great goalkeeper too. But if I had to choose just one, I would choose Modric.”
He also stated that Ferland Mendy was the most difficult player he has faced, saying:
“For me, Ferland Mendy. Because we’ve known each other very well for a long time, since we were kids. And he’s a very strong and fast defender. It’s difficult to get past him. He also knows me very well, which makes it more difficult for me.”
Finally, commenting on Real Madrid’s failed title challenge in La Liga this past season, Dembele said:
“Real Madrid are always a very difficult opponent who fight for every title. We wanted to win this league and we didn’t want to let any points slip away that would allow them to get closer. We were determined to win it.”
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid upset with ‘blatant errors’ made by referee during derby defeat vs Atletico
Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the 2023/24 season last night as local rivals Atletico Madrid beat Carlo Ancelotti’s men 3-1 at the Civitas Metropolitano.
It was a meek display from the Merengues with Atleti doing well to contain them for most of the game.
The defeat, coupled with Barcelona’s win over Celta Vigo, sees the Catalans assume the top spot in La Liga with Real Madrid now slipping down to third.
Real Madrid unhappy with refereeing
As is the case with almost every Madrilenian derby, Sunday night’s clash was not without its controversial moments.
And, MARCA is now reporting that Real Madrid are unhappy and upset with some contentious refereeing decisions made during the match.
Indeed, Los Blancos were not pleased with some of the calls made by the referee and aired their feelings via their Real Madrid TV Broadcast during which they highlighted the said ‘blatant errors’ made by referee Javier Alberola Rojas and the VAR.
Real Madrid point to several errors
For starters, Real Madrid felt aggrieved that Alvaro Morata’s opening goal was allowed to stand despite there being a foul committed on Jude Bellingham in the lead-up to the goal, with there being no VAR check either.
On top of that, the Merengues believe that Jose Maria Gimenez should have been shown a red card by the referee for a last-man challenge on Rodrygo, but the Atletico Madrid ace was only shown a yellow card, with VAR not intervening again.
Real Madrid also believe that they should have been awarded a penalty for a potential handball by Mario Hermoso from a cross by Nacho in the 66th minute.
Beyond that, Los Blancos also felt aggrieved about Eduardo Camavinga’s goal not being allowed due to offside despite Antonio Rudiger not impacting play.
There is no point in crying over spilt milk though and Real Madrid must now turn their focus towards the next game against Las Palmas and returning to winning ways.
