# 2 Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema holds a very key position for Real Madrid as a striker. The 31-year-old will be the core of Real Madrid’s forward line along with Gareth Bale. After being from the national team in the recently concluded World Cup in Russia, Benzema will be eager to showcase his class.
Every team knows that the Frenchman can be a real threat with his blistering pace and electric counter attacks. His aggressive runs and his ability to penetrate the opposition’s defense with ease can unsettle the best defensive outfits. The striker’s goal scoring rate has looked quite impressive since the last 3 to 4 seasons and Julen Lopetegui will be banking on his experience to produce the desired results.
The manager had lamented that it is hard to find a player of Benzema’s calibre as he is a kind of player who can outclass any opposition with his individual brilliance. Though Benzema could score only 5 goals in 32 games in the last La Liga season he contributed with 11 assists in the entire campaign.
He also scored 5 goals in 9 Champions League games in the last season. In the ongoing La Liga season, the Frenchman is looking good as he has registered 4 goals in 7 games.