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Karim Benzema scored two goals when Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 on Tuesday night and tied on points with Real Sociedad and Atlético de Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.
Athletic could have had a penalty when Iñaki Williams was pushed off by Dani Carvajal as he prepared to shoot, before the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Raúl García was sent off for two quick fouls on Toni Kroos. Vinicius Junior had the best chance of the half when his close-range shot was stopped by goalkeeper Unai Simon and then Kroos gave Madrid the lead right at the break, shooting low to the bottom corner.
Athletic threatened with surprise after the break when Ander Capa tied. A play by Madrid followed in which Vinicius had an effort canceled for offside, a hand penalty was denied and Benzema headed a Carvajal cross that passed Simon with 15 minutes to go before scoring again in the final seconds. of the match after Thibaut Courtois saved Mikel Vesga at the other end.
Positive
This was a potentially tough encounter for Real Madrid, when the team could easily have lost focus and falter after three significant wins in a row. The lack of a suspended Casemiro was another warning sign. Instead, Garcia’s unnecessary early expulsion, a midfielder masterclass from Kroos and a clinical shot from Benzema ensured Athletic’s 15-year winless streak at Real was sustained.
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The team is so dependent on Benzema’s goal and his form is tremendously encouraging, along with that of Kroos and Carvajal as well, since his return from injury. The contributions of the right-back in attack should not be underestimated.
Negative
This was a largely professional, even professional performance, and there were moments in the second half when Madrid fought harder than they should against 10 men, though perhaps that’s understandable given the match schedule. There have been frequent and justified complaints from the coach and players about the hectic schedule, and squad players will need to step up and do their part throughout the course of the season.
Zinedine Zidane’s departure from his preferred and much-discussed rotation policy may be only temporary, and could be reinstated as soon as next weekend, but his recent reliance on tried and tested veterans like Luka Modric, Kroos and Benzema could prove it. costly later in terms of tiredness or worse, injury.
Manager rating out of 10
7 – Zidane’s starting eleven was a surprise. The coach apparently did not want to risk changing a winning team, and only Federico Valverde was returning from a broken shin to replace Casemiro. The decision was correct, he treated the game with the seriousness it deserved, although the coach will not have been happy about Madrid’s wobble in the second half. Substitutes Isco, Marco Asensio and Rodrygo were all logical introductions given the state of the game.
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2 related player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players entered after 70 minutes do not get any ratings)
GK Thibaut Courtois, 7: There are no stops to make in the first half. He kept Capa’s first effort out and stayed on the ground as he dispatched the second. A huge game-changing stoppage in overtime to deny Vesga.
DF Dani Carvajal, 8 – He could have given a penalty with an early push to throw Williams off balance. He came back well to cut a dangerous ball into the area before the break. Expertly crossed by the winner of Benzema.
DF Raphael Varane, 6 – He has started more games than any other outfield player this season and could use a break.
DF Sergio Ramos, 6 – He left Capa in space for Athletic’s equalizer when he went to chase the ball, a common defensive fault of his.
DF Ferland Mendy, 7 – He didn’t turn heads like Carvajal, but he didn’t play bad either. A very, very optimistic shot on the wrong foot in the second half.
Karim Benzema scored two goals in Real Madrid’s victory over Athletic Bilbao. Denis Doyle / Getty Images
MF Federico Valverde, 6 – He’s back after five weeks out and will take time to get back to his best level. Just ready to play 60 minutes at this stage. Shot wide twice in the first half.
MF Toni Kroos, 8 – Caught twice early by Athletic bully Raúl García when sent off. A tentative shot in the first half was followed by a much better and accurate shot from distance for his 20th goal for Real Madrid.
MF Luka Modric, 7 – His fourth start in 10 days, at the age of 35. This time a calmer display, perhaps suggesting a break is overdue. An assist for Benzema in added time.
FW Vinicius Junior, 7 – Dived for a penalty in the first half. He put the clearest opportunity for Madrid in Simón’s body and had an effort ruled out in the second half. Taking off after an hour, now it’s almost two months without a goal.
FW Lucas Vazquez, 6 – He has started nine games in a row, but can now leave the team. Yellow card before the break for a bad tackle to winger Alex Berenguer.
FW Karim Benzema, 9 – An outrageous starting skill, controlling the ball with his back, was followed by another later in the first half when he ran over two defenders to find space inside the box. He scored his third consecutive header and then grabbed a late goal to secure all three points.
Substitutes
MF Isco, 6 – Presented with half an hour to go after being an unused substitute in all three games last week. Zidane says he’s to blame for not giving the playmaker a chance, but this was another opportunity to impress that Isco didn’t take.
Forward Marco Asensio, 6 – Caught the short corner that led to Benzema’s goal, but too much credit cannot be attributed. A late curling shot.
FW Rodrygo, N / R – Played the last 20 minutes.
Source: espn.co.uk
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