Karim Benzema keeps the pace in this Real Madrid and signed a hat-trick against Athletic Club (3-0) to seal the victory in the second half, getting closer to Atlético de Madrid in the fight for the second spot of the table. The Basque Country team was an uncomfortable visitor but the defenders gave many opportunities in the second half and the Frenchman didn’t miss them.
The first half was a complete boring show. Zidane decided to keep Bale on the bench with Asensio and Lucas in the wings. Also Vallejo had his chance to play from the beginning with Varane as centre backs. However, these changes in the attacking line didn’t improve the image of the time, especially in the first half. Real Madrid didn’t shoot on target, whereas Athletic did it only once, and without any danger.
Things improved in the second half. Real Madrid was a compact and secure team this afternoon, although far from playing well or brilliant. Benzema found the net quite soon, in the second minute of this second half. It was the start of his new show, although the other two goals were thanks to Athletic players. Herrerín made a terrible mistake in a corner kick and Benzema head the ball easily. And in the last minutes of the game, the two centre backs gave the ball to Bale with the goalkeeper out of the box, so Benzema scored without goalie from far far away.
The result is too excessive given the game we saw today, but the team improved from the terrible match against Leganés. However, we can only highlight Benzema in this team, who has scored the last 8 goals of the team. Dani Ceballos, on the 1st of April against Huesca, was the last player to score for Real Madrid other than Benzema. Without any hesitation, the best player in this season.
