How Karim Benzema destroyed Schalke in the Champions League

You have to almost feel sorry for Karim Benzema at Real Madrid, after all despite being one of Europe’s top strikers and consistently banging in important goals, the Frenchman seems destined to always be in the shadow of a certain Portuguese player.

Four goals in the Champions League this season is a record any striker would be more than happy with, but the problem for Benzema is that once everyone’s stopped salivating over Cristiano Ronaldo’s eleven goals in the competition this campaign, there’s not much room left to praise anyone else.

Madrid’s recent 6-1 demolition over German side Schalke was a chance for Benzema to if not put Ronaldo in the shade, at least step out from his shadow for a while as the two players bagged a brace apiece.

Benzema was excellent throughout against the Bundesliga outfit and well worth his two goals which helped put the tie beyond any hint of a doubt before Madrid have even kicked a ball in the Bernabéu.

Madrid could field a set of teenagers in the return leg and still make it through to the last eight of Europe’s top competition as the Spanish side ran riot against the hapless Germans in the Veltins-Arena. Ronaldo, Benzema and Gareth Bale all finding the net twice to remind not just Schalke but also the rest of the world that this Madrid side has just as much chance as anyone of lifting yet another Champions League trophy.

Benzema deserves special praise for his performance on Wednesday evening as it wasn’t just goals the Frenchman provided he also gave something of a lesson in passing with a perfect pass completion rate that made you feel like patting the Schalke players on the head and telling them “never mind, it’s not your fault.” What’s more the Frenchman also created four chances, getting two assists.

Karim Benzema Passes vs Schalke

With the eyes of the world on Bayern Munich and Barcelona and the names Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben often dominating the headlines, if someone took the time to really consider Real Madrid and looked past the Ronaldo- Bale axis then they may just realise that Karim Benzema could fire Los Blancos to ultimate glory.