The Frenchman has now scored 71 goals in the Champions League. He scored a very beautiful and important goal against Chelsea.
Game against Chelsea was important for Karim
Real Madrid continue to dream of winning the double thanks to Karim Benzema, as the Frenchman equalled Raul Gonzalez’s tally of 71 goals in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The striker scored an acrobatic volley in a tight area to ensure Real Madrid didn’t lose their first game in 17, while it also means that Los Blancos go into the second leg with the scores level at 1-1.
Real Madrid rely on the French striker all too often these days, as they often find it difficult to get the result they desire when he doesn’t score, which is what happened against Getafe and Real Betis in previous weeks.
Dependence on Karim Benzema, just like it was on Ronaldo
The dependence on Benzema is already similar to that of Cristiano Ronaldo, although some may say that the Portuguese star had more support from teammates than Benzema does now.
The Frenchman’s goal on Tuesday night sees him go level with Raul in fourth spot for all-time Champions League goals on 71, with only Cristiano Ronaldo (134), Lionel Messi (120) and Robert Lewandowski (73) ahead of him.
Benzema already has 28 goals to his name this season, his third-best tally since becoming a Real Madrid player, and he still has time to beat his previous best tally of 32, which he recorded during Jose Mourinho’s time at the club. The 33-year-old still has to play at least six games with the possibility of a seventh, should Real Madrid make it to the Champions League final. There is no doubt that Real Madrid will be looking to Benzema to get them to their first Champions League final in three years when they face Chelsea in the second leg of their semi-final tie at Stamford Bridge in a week’s time.