In a week when the Spanish champions were only able to salvage a point from a resilient Valencia side, Real Madrid cruised past Deportivo Alavez to boost their confidence ahead of their tasking Clasico Clashes with Barcelona. Barcelona ended their last game against Valencia in a 2-2 draw, thanks to the genius of Lionel Messi who stepped up to make sure the Catalan giants went home with one point.
One can only guess what will be the fate of Barcelona without Messi on their imminent Copa Del Rey Semifinal encounters against on fire Madrid side. Santiago Solari is an opportunist and he utilized Barcelona's slight slack to boost his team's morale. Beating Alaves 3-0 further moved the European Champions up the league ladder. Not so many of us saw Madrid coming back into the league, even though winning the title appears a bit illusive.
With twenty-two league games having been played so far, Real Madrid have won 13 matches, drawn 3 and have also suffered six defeats this season. Their win against Alaves on Sunday moved them eightsl points behind league leaders Barcelona and two points behind second place Athletico Madrid. Barcelona have 50 points, Athletico Madrid is second with 44 points and Madrid is lurking around on third place with 42 points.
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Madrid league goals is now 37 for the season, though nothing close to 60 goals of the arch rivals Barcelona. However, this goals and form is coming when they need it most. Nothing would be more unsettling for Barcelona than knowing the havoc the current Madrid form can wreck. For me, I think Madrid is more ready ahead of Wednesday's copa clash with Barcelona.
Though the European Champions are up and running in the Champions league, eliminating Barcelona from the Copa Del Rey will give them hopes of laying their hands on a domestic silverware, perhaps the closest to them now. This cup has eluded them for the past four years and it's only a matter of time before they replicate their 2014 feat. Yah, that was the last time Madrid kissed the trophy and Solari needs this to show for the season.
Though they have been unconfirmed rumours that the Argentine Captain Lionel Messi may miss the clash on Wednesday due to a minor infringement he sustained against Valencia. However, Madrid appears unfazed by the Argentine's likely presence as Barcelona management have said Messi may play the game. It's gonna be a great news for Los Blancos if Messi is benched, even though Barcelona humbled them 5-1 in their last encounter with Messi. Madrid looks better now and are in control of their game, a Messiless Barcelona won't get it funny this time.
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Benzema Will Lead The Charge Against Barcelona?
With the absence of Christiano Ronaldo in the Bernabeu as usual to lead the attack against a Messi led Barcelona side, no other name comes to mind than that of an in form Karim Benzema. Santiago Solari seems to have rejuvenated the sleeping giant in the Frenchman, and he has been on fire lately. Apart from Lionel Messi's consistency in Barcelona, Benzema would stand a chance of winning a comparison between him and Suarez.
Benzema opened the scoring against Alaves to put Madrid on the Lead on Sunday. He maintained his scoring streak as his goal on Sunday was his sixth for Madrid in four games. The Frenchman now has 10 goals in the league this season, twice better than what he scored last season. It took the forward 30 minutes to open the score which watered the ground for a 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu. With no Ronaldo in sight or trust on Gareth Bale due to possible injury occurrence, Benzema remains the Leopard that can devour Barcelona's defense if given opportunity.
Vinicius, A Dove-like Predator That Can Devour Barcelona
If there is nothing else for Barcelona to worry about, they should sure be worried about the likely wreckage of an 18 year old boy. The lad is growing in confidence with rise of every sun and is fast becoming Madrid's most lethal weapon in the attack. His pace, His swift footwork and even his clinical tendency is such that can be compared to Barcelona's Dembele. No wonder Los Blancos spent €45 million to bring him to Spain last year.
The young lad's performance is full of poise and maturity. He seems to me as the heir to Madrid's attacking throne in the nearest future. Many would have expected the young Brazilian to play under the pressure of the Bernabeu, but he has maintained his cool and has rather started winning the affection of the fans. If Madrid's intention was to have him as Ronaldo's possible replacement, then it may be an investment in the right direction.
Against Alaves on Sunday, Vinicius was once again the spectacle for spectators. The starlet played a major role in Benzema's first goal after amazingly driving a pass to Reguilon who crossed to Benzema to finish up. He will later get a goal his hardworking foot deserved. It was his second for Madrid in eleven appearances despite coming from the bench six times. He is kid with great skill and could draw out Barcelona's defense to create space for Benzema.
"It does not scare me, I play in Madrid, in the best team in the world, I do not fear anything. I play where the coach believes is better, I will do everything to help, on the right, the left or in the middle, I will continue working to win with Madrid. We have returned better in 2019. It is our best moment since the beginning of the season and we will continue to work like this to continue on this path until the end of the season," Vinicius said after the match. He is indeed a great threat and Barcelona will pay if they fail to keep him on check.
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