Real Madrid's Lack of Depth Upfront Could Derail Season

Karim Benzema was undoubtedly the best player in t

January 17, 2023 FootballZz

Real Madrid's Lack of Depth Upfront Could Derail Season

Karim Benzema was undoubtedly the best player in the world last year, often time dragging his teammates across the finish line. His 44 goals in 46 matches helped Los Blancos to a league and Champions League double and culminated in an individual Ballon d’Or award. So many times last term, Madrid had to count on Benzema to bail them out, and he duly obliged. Real Madrid also had Vinicius Jr and Rodrigo to count on to chip in with goals at crucial moments, and the expectation for Carlo Ancelotti is that they defend their titles in both the league and Champions League.

However, defending both titles might be a big ask this term, as they don’t appear to be blessed with firepower upfront. Benzema has struggled with injuries this term, but he has still chipped in with 10 goals in just 15 matches. There have been talks of signings, especially this winter, but the belief is that they still won’t strengthen because the likes of Rodrygo and Mariano Diaz are still there. Benzema is 35 and has suffered a lot of injuries this season, which was highlighted in their recent loss to Villareal in La Liga, where they struggled to create chances.

While they have scored 36 goals in 16 matches this season, it seems they are not creating enough chances from the middle of the pitch to see off teams and that may be very counter-productive at the business end of the season. The last loss at the Estadio de la Ceramica means that they are 3 points behind bitter rivals, Barcelona in the race for the league title, with over 20 matches still to go. Los Blancos will hope to remain consistent to be able to retain the title.

In the last game against Real Betis in the Spanish Super Cup Semifinal against Valencia, they scored through a Karim Benzema penalty before triumphing on penalties. They’d look to triumph and retain in the showpiece on Sunday at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh. The likes of Rodrygo and Marco Asensio have chipped in with goals at some times this season, while forgotten man, Eden Hazard has never hit the heights of his Chelsea heyday ever since he swapped the Premier League for La Liga as he has struggled with injuries and has never looked comfortable as a Galactico in the famous white of Real Madrid.

In the Champions League, they’d meet Liverpool in the Round of 16, and while the Premier League giants are not in the best of form, the Merseysiders will be looking to revenge last season’s final defeat. Real Madrid will need to get back to their swashbuckling feat, where they defeated teams with their sheer will and force of nature, but they will need to put the ball in the back of the net more often.

They need to sort out their attacking issues and fast.