Barcelona faced a half-fit Benzema in their previous encounter, but now they’ll face a well-rested and in-form Ballon d’Or winner in the upcoming match.
Despite dealing with minor injuries and the inevitable fatigue of a 35-year-old athlete, Benzema’s recent resurgence serves as a warning sign for Barcelona.
Real Madrid’s lack of a back-up striker has put additional pressure on Benzema to play in games despite not being fully fit.
This season, he’s been dealing with a hamstring problem, a hip flexor pull, and general fatigue. While these issues are understandable given his age, they raise concerns about his long-term performance.
Despite Barcelona’s narrow first-leg victory, they only managed to win through an own goal, with Real Madrid controlling 65% of the possession.
Real Madrid’s coach, Ancelotti, believes that if they play as they did in the first leg, they’ll have a better chance of winning at Camp Nou.
Karim Benzema showcased his extraordinary form in Real Madrid’s recent thrashing of Real Valladolid, proving he is back on top just in time for today’s Clasico in the Copa del Rey semi-final against Bracelona.
In only six minutes and 32 seconds, Benzema scored a hat-trick, demonstrating his Ballon d’Or-winning potential.
