In Focus: Mediocre Madrid too reliant on Benzema

Karim Benzema is in contention to feature for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final. 

The Ballon d’Or holder joined up with Carlo Ancelotti’s team on Thursday after missing the semi-final win over Al Ahly through injury. 

After winning both La Liga and the Champions League last season, Los Blancos have been in erratic form in a campaign when they have often been without their star striker. 

Ahead of Real Madrid’s bid to beat Al Hilal in Saturday’s final in Morocco, we take a look at Benzema’s injury-hit season and whether the club need to look for a replacement. 

Age is just a number

Benzema was Real’s key player last season, scoring an incredible 44 goals in 46 games. 

In his 13th year at the Bernabeu, the veteran found his best period of form for the club and won the Ballon d’Or in 2022. 

For a player to achieve so much at a late stage of his career was an unexpected bonus for Madrid but it also put them in a tricky situation. 

Benzema was at an age where a club would normally be looking for a replacement, yet having performed so consistently, it was effectively impossible for them to willingly sideline him.

Nevertheless, the 35-year-old has spent much of this season watching from the stands. He has suffered a number of niggling injuries and was unable to play in the World Cup for France. 

Games missed

Benzema has only played in 12 of Real’s 20 games in La Liga this season. Though he has scored nine goals, his absences have hampered the team’s defence of their title. 

Second in the table, Madrid trail the leaders Barcelona by eight points. With the Club World Cup final taking place this weekend, the gap between the rivals could be further extended, when Barca visit Villarreal. 

Two of Real’s three defeats in the league have come in the eight games in which Benzema was unavailable, while they also dropped points at home to Girona. 

The constant interruptions to his season have not helped his rhythm when he is available, with the forward yet to score in the Champions League. 

If Real are to get their season back on track, then they need Benzema consistently fit and firing again, but this hope could prove to be unrealistic. 

Cover required

The situation with Benzema should not be a surprise to Real. He missed a total of 11 games last season, which all came from December onwards. 

There is a variety to the injuries being suffered, which indicate that there is not a specific problem which can be fixed. 

In retrospect, it was a mistake for the club to not buy some kind of cover, either in the summer or January windows. Mariano Diaz is the only other recognised striker, but he has failed to score in seven appearances this season. 

The form of Benzema effectively ruled out the purchase of a long-term replacement, such as Erling Haaland. Perhaps a striker more willing to be a deputy could have been sought. 

One forward that Real have long been linked with is Kylian Mbappe. He could play alongside Benzema in a wide position as he does for France, while also being able to play centrally when necessary. 

Reliant Real

Rodrygo played as the central striker in the 4-1 victory over Al Ahly. Normally a right-winger, the Brazilian was on target, in what was his 10th goal of the season. 

Vinicius Junior has 14 strikes across all competitions from 32 games and is the club’s top scorer, only one ahead of Benzema’s total of 13 in just 20 matches. 

Real do not have another forward that can compensate when their starting striker is injured. 

Whether or not Benzema is fit to play against Al Hilal, it would be a huge surprise if Los Blancos were not to be crowned as Club World Cup winners. 

In contrast, the Champions League and La Liga, would seem impossible to win unless Benzema is playing regularly. Being so reliant on a player in his mid-thirties, is not a sustainable position.