This match analysis first featured on our dedicated Real Madrid site, realmadridanalysis.com
After defeat in Moscow in Group G, Real Madrid could not afford to slip up on another tricky away day in the Champions League. Fortunately, against Viktoria Plzen, Los Blancos rediscovered the best versions of themselves and notched five with ease in the Czech Republic. There was an impressive brace from Karim Benzema alongside a Casemiro header, Gareth Bale finish and Toni Kroos chip to seal a vital three points. Here, our tactical analysis will use statistics to identify what key points Real Madrid can take from the game as they finally got back to their best.
Karim Benzema enters the Real Madrid history books in style
Notching his 200th goal for the club and becoming only the seventh man to do so, Karim Benzema scored a memorable effort to break the deadlock on 20 minutes. Weaving in and out of defenders, he made it look simple as he went past four men and finished with aplomb. It was the kind of finish that was expected of the Frenchman this campaign but has vanished in recent weeks with his form dwindling. Now, it looks like he may finally be getting back to the kind of magic that he is capable of creating.
Where the first goal was a superb solo effort, his second goal was pure poachers instinct. His movement in the box as a cross came in was excellent, finding the half-a-yard of space required to be ready for any rebound and it came his way as he flicked his header into the back of the net. These are the goals that have never disappeared from Benzemas game but come more and more as his confidence soars and that certainly seems to be the case.
Getting a prolific goalscorer to replace Cristiano Ronaldo will be fundamental to Santiago Solaris success at the club and the form of Benzema looks to be confirming what he is capable of. It is great news for the manager and even better for the centre-forwards long-term future at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
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