Karim Benzema is Real Madrid’s top scorer in La Liga this season with eight goals and has scored five goals in his last four games. He continued his streak against Athletic tonight and helped his team secure important victory and keep the pace with league leaders Barcelona. The Catalans didn’t impress against Getafe earlier but won1-0, while Real recorded a 2-0 win in Bilbao. Both clubs will agree that the best thing about their matches this week was the result and nothing else.228 – @Benzema 🇫🇷 has scored his 228th goal in #LaLiga and equals Raúl González as the second @realmadriden top scorer in the competition (@Cristiano 🇵🇹, 311). Historical. pic.twitter.com/CnxoeTcIR8— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 22, 2023 This game came at a difficult time for Karlo Ancelotti, as his men have only picked up two wins from their last five La Liga matches and lost to Villarreal last week, while the home team won 17 out of their 26 La liga points (fourth in the home form league table). Athletic haven’t lost a competitive match at home since narrowly losing 1-0 to Atletico Madrid back in October, but the finally capitulated in January 2023.This is such an insane goal man, on the turn and with his weaker foot. Karim Benzema you rock my world. pic.twitter.com/LbDN1g4DAp— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) January 22, 2023 Si no es golazo no cuenta: Toni Kroos pic.twitter.com/51KARDXwiP— MadridTotal (@MadridTotal_) January 22, 2023 The Italian tactician chose to field Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde in midfield, while Toni Kroos and Luka Modric were omitted from the starting 11. The home team missed two good chances before Benzema scored his terrific goal. Paredes had a good header after 10 minutes but Courtois tipped in over for a corner. Much better chance was missed six minutes later, when Nico Williams took a shot, but the ball ended just wide of the post. But when the moment came, Real didn’t miss their chance, In fact, it was Benzema who didn’t miss his chance and used an Asensio’s unsucesfull’s header to unleash the ball with his weaker foot – 1-0. Athletic opened the second half exactly the same as in the first, with lots of energy, running, attacking with speed, but couldn’t score. Real missed a great opportunity in the 66th minute, when Valverde and Benzema combined for Asensio, who’s shot went just near the post. Athletic did score eventually, but VAR denied it, due to offside and Real secured an important win near the very end when Tony Kroos came as a sub in the 85 minute and scored a beatuful goal five minutes later.LA LIGAFridayReal Mallorca – Celta Vigo 1-0 (0-0)/Rodriguez 59/SaturdayRayo Vallecano – Real Sociedad 0-2 (0-2)/Sorloth 15, Barrenetxea 36/Espanyol – Betis 1-0 (1-0)/Braithwaite 43/Atletico Madrid – Valladolid 3-0 (3-0)/Morata 18, Griezmann 23, Hermoso 28/Sevilla – Cadiz 1-0 (0-0)/Rakitic 88 pen/SundayVillareal – Girona 1-1 (0-1)/Carmona 67 – Avila 20/Elche – Osasuna 1-0 (0-0)/Parejo 90+11/Barcelona – Getafe 1-0 (1-0)/Pedri 35/Ath.Bilbao – Real Madrid 2-0 (1-0)/Benzema 24, Kroos 90/Monday23.00: (1.63) Valencia (3.80) Almeria (5.70)***odds are subject to change
