Karim Benzema Shrugs off Uncertainty, but Gareth Bale Facing First-Team Fight

Twice the woodwork thwarted him, but he eventually got his goal. For the second time in four days, Karim Benzema was Real Madrid's outstanding player, first against Liverpool and now against Barcelona.

"It's hard to talk about a star in this match but Benzema is on fire," Carlo Ancelotti beamed after watching his side overcome their Clasico rivals 3-1 in the Bernabeu on a sweltering Saturday evening in the Spanish capital, per Goal.com.

Things haven't always been this good for the Frenchman at Madrid. In fact, there may even have been more downs than ups.

Under Jose Mourinho, he wasn't guaranteed a place in the side, instead having to rotate with Gonzalo Higuain, who left for Napoli the same summer Mourinho departed for Chelsea.

Last season, he regained his status as first choice striker under Carlo Ancelotti, partly because of the belief his fellow countryman Zinedine Zidane had in him.

But even then, things weren't as straight forward as they might have been. The currency at the Bernabeu is goals, and it’s not often appreciated if a player's hard work is the very reason Cristiano Ronaldo and others are able to score so many.

When you’re a striker, you're supposed to trade in goals.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Because of this, there have been times when Benzema has been whistled by his own fans. As recently as this season he has come under scrutiny. However, speaking to AS and translated by FourFourTwo, he said in September the criticism doesn't faze him.

"

I'm at a big club and a lot is expected of me. I'm a Real Madrid striker and that means I must score in every game. That's how it is. 

I was jeered and it has happened to Iker Casillas. All the greats who have played for Real Madrid have been jeered: Ronaldo, Zidane.

It's not a problem for me and I'll continue to work hard to change the situation around.

"

He's certainly stuck to his word and has produced two perfect performances in, arguably, Madrid's two biggest games of the season to date. He followed his brace up at Anfield with the third goal against Barca, a cool finish after a clever run in behind a static back four. 

With Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in one corner, and Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale in the other, Benzema is often forgot.

Jeremy Mathieu says this is how Benzema is able to excel, a step back from the spotlight.  “He knows how to be discreet enough in these sorts of games," Barca's French defender told RMC Sport, per Goal.com. "And then he appears at the right time.”

It might be a bit more difficult to be discreet after such a brilliant week.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

On the other side of the coin, it's not been such a brilliant week for Gareth Bale. The Welshman will of course be happy with his side's splendid performances, but could they have come at his detriment?

Until Madrid put five past Levante last weekend, Bale had started every game. His injury problem could not have come at a worse time.

Isco has come into the side and, like Benzema, has been among Ancelotti's most impressive players. The former Malaga man has clearly not enjoyed his time on the bench, and he has worked hard to improve the defensive side of his game and has come into the thick of the action looking a more complete player.

It would be both unnecessary and unfair to drop him, even if it is the world's most expensive player waiting to replace him in the side.

James has also played well and is growing into his role at one of the world's biggest clubs, while Ronaldo is clearly undroppable.

Bale obviously has a place in this Madrid side; the poor timing of his injury has simply proved that Madrid are not as reliant on him in the same way they are of Ronaldo.

When he returns to fitness, the former Tottenham man will have to fight to get back in the team.