Author of an XXL performance last week in the Champions League during Real Madrid's victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-0), Karim Benzema scored a brace on Tuesday night in the victory of the Madrilenians in the league against the Athletic Bilbao (3-1).
A success that allows Zinédine Zidane's men to point to third place in La Liga, tied on points with Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid.
Even if everything was not perfect in the game against the Basques, far from it, the Madrid club ended the year with a cannonball and saw the crisis glimpsed in recent weeks receding.
Madrid owe this recovery in large part to their French striker who “Zizou” praised at the end of the meeting.
Karim Benzema increased his league goal tally to six (three assists) on Tuesday night.
When a journalist asked the coach if he considered Benzema to be the best French striker in history, he replied in the affirmative.
"For me, yes.
He proves it, he has been playing for Real Madrid for a very long time, he has more than 500 matches, all the goals ... In the end, his record, everything he has accomplished here speaks for itself.
For me it is the best, yes, it is very clear, ”replied Zidane.
A scorer and a complete player for Zidane
The technician is also delighted to be able to count on a player who does not just score goals.
Over the seasons, Benzema has become a very complete player, serving the collective of his team.
Last season, the former Lyonnais had delivered 8 assists in addition to his 21 goals in the league.
“Today, he's a more mature player.
But he has always shown that it is not a pure N.9, he does not think only of scoring.
That's why I like him so much, I love him, he doesn't just have goals in mind.
He intervenes in the game, if he has to pass a teammate he will do it ... That's what I like about his football.
He has both sides (scorer and complete striker).
And when it comes to scoring goals, even when he's not having a great game like this (Tuesday) night, well he scores two goals.
That's what he is, Karim ”.
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