The Los Blancos secured a dominant 3-1 victory against Chelsea in the first leg tie, courtesy of Benzema’s hat-trick and have one foot firmly on the semi-finals.
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Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says Karim Benzema “is the perfect representation of what a centre forward should be in today’s football” ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg tie against Chelsea on Tuesday. The Los Blancos secured a dominant 3-1 victory against Chelsea in the first leg fixture, courtesy of Benzema’s hat-trick and have one foot firmly on the semi-finals. The Frenchman is in the form of his life, having netted 37 times across all competition this season.
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? Well done, @Benzema!
? Mahou’s Five Star Player for March!#JugadorCincoEstrellas | @futbolmahou pic.twitter.com/okA4NuJcV0— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) April 11, 2022
“We are dependent on Benzema,” Ancelotti said during Monday’s pre-match press conference ahead of the Chelsea clash.
“That’s how it is, we are not going to deny it. And I’m very happy that we are dependent on Karim. It’s a reality, and it’s a good thing.”
At Stamford Bridge, Benzema scored two early goals through headers early in the match before capitalising on a defensive error to complete his hat-trick, immediately after the break. It was the 34-year-old’s second consecutive Champions League hat-trick. He netted thrice in the stunning 3-1 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 second leg tie in March.
“Karim is a modern forward and [does] what is required of strikers. Everything, including defensive work. He is the perfect representation of what a centre forward should be in today’s football.”
Ancelotti also stressed that Real Madrid should be prepared in the event Chelsea decide to change their style of play after their defeat at Stamford Bridge. The Los Blancos played perfect counter-attacking football to demolish the Premier League side last week.
Along with Benzema, Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior also played a key role in the victory. Winger Vinicius provided the assist for Benzema’s opener while Modric as usual was superb with his role as a central midfielder. The Croatian plays a pivotal role in the team’s quick transition from defence to attack while also controlling the pace of the game.
Chelsea have no choice but to go all-out-attack and therefore Ancelotti’s side are likely to get chances at the other end, an in-form striker like Benzema is more than capable of exploiting those chances.
“Everyone knows it’s going to be difficult, beyond the 3-1 [win],” Ancelotti declared.
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