Karim Benzema Awakens Real Madrid from Slumber in Victory over Getafe

Karim Benzema provided a moment of genuine quality to set an under-par Real Madrid on their way to a 3-0 victory away to Getafe on Sunday.

Madrid knew that three points would assure them of ending the first half of the season atop La Liga—regardless of their result away to Cordoba next weekend—but struggled to get going on a cold morning in Getafe.

There were reports of snow prior to the 11 a.m. kickoff, and Madrid certainly took their time in warming up to the task at hand. They were sloppy from the off, with Toni Kroos misplacing a couple of early passes to set the tone for much of the first hour of play.

Per AS, Carlo Ancelotti insisted before the match that tiredness was not to blame for the little errors that had contributed to his side’s Copa del Rey exit to Atletico Madrid in midweek. Yet Sunday’s match seemed to provide further evidence that something, either mentally or physically, is not quite right at the current moment in time.

It was a frustrating first hour for many in Madrid shirts, with Cristiano Ronaldo particularly off-colour. He lacked dynamism in possession and became visibly annoyed when things didn’t go his way.

Gareth Bale, too, struggled to make much of an impression.

Getafe were neat and tidy on the ball and strong and well-organised in defence. Their attacking midfielder Sammir consistently progressed his side forward with smart one-and-two-touch passes and some powerful dribbling, while centre-backs Naldo and Emiliano Velazquez made a number of good blocks and clearances.

The home side lacked a decisive touch in the final third, but Quique Sanchez Flores would otherwise have been happy with a good showing from his team.

The few bright spots for Madrid came from Benzema and the midfielders Isco and James Rodriguez. Benzema provided good movement and the ability to beat his man inside the area, while Isco and Rodriguez were bright and inventive throughout.

Benzema had already had two good efforts on goal well-saved—the second after nice approach play from Isco and Rodriguez—before he provided the moment of ingenuity that turned the match in Madrid’s favour.

The France international received the ball inside the area from Rodriguez, skipped past one defender and then produced a lovely piece of quick-footed skill to beat another before putting the ball on a plate for Ronaldo to finish.

Madrid were comfortable from thereon, with the extra quality of their forwards shining through as Bale and then Ronaldo scored from excellent Rodriguez deliveries to increase their advantage to three by the final whistle.

Ancelotti’s side remain one of the best teams in world football on the counter-attack. But the initial breakthrough that facilitated those later goals would not have arrived were it not for a moment of magic from his No. 9.

While he has not scored in La Liga since late November, Benzema continues to make positive contributions to the Madrid attack. His assist record in recent years is particularly impressive.

The 27-year-old remains the striker best-suited to this current Madrid side. His clever movement opens up space for Bale and Ronaldo to move inside toward goal, while his unselfishness ensures that they regularly make the most of their opportunities in the final third.

With a number of his teammates off form, it was Benzema who set Sunday’s victory in motion. He will hope to continue providing similarly decisive contributions throughout the second half of the season as Madrid look to convert the honorary title of winter champions into physical silverware come May.