Updated
By scoring his 300th and 301st goals during Madrid’s success once morest Valencia (4-1), the French striker has entered a little more into the legend. Barça almost exploded in Granada (1-1).
“KB9” became the 4th top scorer in club history on Saturday.
AFP
Thanks to a Karim Benzema who has entered a little more into legend, Real Madrid corrected Valencia 4-1 on Saturday for the 20th day of La Liga, and consolidates his place as leader of Liga, eight points ahead of his runner-up, Sevilla FC, who receives Getafe on Sunday (4:15 p.m.). Benzema then capped his dream night with a second pivotal goal late in the game (87th).
Fourth top scorer in club history, “KB9” is only seven goals away from legend Alfredo di Stéfano (308 goals). Two sacred monsters dominate this ranking: Raul (323 goals) and the unattainable Cristiano Ronaldo (451 goals).
A double for Vinicius
Vinicius helped the French to seal the Merengue success, with a brace too: the young Brazilian first concluded a one-two with Benzema in the box (52nd), then he was well placed following a strike by Marco Asensio pushed back by Jasper Cillessen, to slip the ball with his head into the empty cage (61st).
The only downside for Real: the penalty converted by Gonçalo Guedes (76th) in two stages, his first attempt having been rejected by Thibaut Courtois.
A full evening, however, for the men of Carlo Ancelotti, who regain victory following their misstep in Getafe last weekend (1-0), and who continue to reign supreme over Spain, a few days away. to fly to Saudi Arabia where they will compete in the Spanish Supercup.
Barça falters
Wednesday, the first semi-final will oppose Real to FC Barcelona for a new promising clasico. On Saturday, despite his returning Dani Alvés and Luuk de Jong, Barça was hung 1-1 in Granada and temporarily remains in 6th place, 14 points behind Real.
Alvés, back in La Liga six years following his departure, served in the 57th a perfect cross for the header of Luuk de Jong, who has finally kicked off his season since early 2022, with a second goal in two matches. But Barça, reduced to ten following the expulsion of Gavi ten minutes from the term (80th), faltered at the end of the match and Granada ended up equalizing in the 89th minute by Antonio Puertas, following a corner kick.
A new setback for Xavi, three days following the big fear in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey once morest the modest Linares (Spanish D3), a match won 2-1 on the wire.
The return of Alvés
The Catalan technician has other concerns to be made: the young central defender Eric Garcia was injured in turn. Obviously the victim of a tear in the back of the right thigh, he came out grimacing, giving way to Clément Lenglet in the 53rd minute.
Garcia joins the long list of players unavailable on the Catalan side, made up of injured Ronald Araujo, Frenkie De Jong, Martin Braithwaite, Sergi Roberto and Ansu Fati, and players still positive for Covid-19, Pedri and Ferran Torres.
Xavi may eventually find points of satisfaction. Despite some defensive mistakes and some bad choices, Alvés brought all his heart to this FC Barcelona in search of a second wind. He signed his first assist since his return to the club, following a successful first match in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
De Jong has also relaunched: long forgotten on the bench in the first part of the season and sometimes mocked for his ineffectiveness in the face of goal, the Dutch center-forward, recruited last summer in Seville, silenced his detractors with this second goal in two matches, headed once more.
(AFP)
