Karim Benzema hit a hat-trick for Real Madrid because the champions thrashed Almeria 4-2 to chop the hole on La Liga leaders Barcelona to eight factors on Saturday.
The French striker climbed to 17 targets in La Liga this season, one behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, the division’s high scorer.
Benzema netted his treble within the first half and Rodrygo added the fourth early within the second for Madrid, whereas Lazaro and Lucas Robertone struck for the guests, fifteenth.
Almeria coach Rubi made a number of modifications to his common facet, clearly unconvinced his staff might take factors from the Santiago Bernabeu — the go to of Elche on Tuesday needs to be extra worthwhile of their survival bid.
Madrid performed with freedom in assault throughout an entertaining sport, albeit one low on stress with their hopes of retaining the title minimal.
“In attack the team is very dangerous, with the quality of Karim, Vini, Rodrygo, with the ball we play very well,” Ancelotti informed reporters.
“There are games where the offensive level looks very good, like today.”
Both Barca and Madrid suffered midweek defeats with Los Blancos tumbling 4-2 at Girona the place Argentine striker Taty Castellanos scored 4.
Perhaps chastened by that pummelling, coach Carlo Ancelotti deployed Aurelien Tchouameni on the base of the midfield, as a substitute of utilizing Toni Kroos there once more.
Benzema additionally returned after lacking the go to to Montilivi with a knock and it paid lethal dividends for Los Blancos.
Vinicius Junior danced away from two defenders to get to the touchline and squared the ball to Benzema for a easy end within the fifth minute.
The ahead doubled his tally and Madrid’s lead after 17 minutes, though this time the credit score belonged to Rodrygo.
The Brazilian winger confirmed nice energy and talent earlier than teeing up Benzema to complete.
Rodrygo’s help was one of many highlights of the sport, with the ahead backheeling the ball to himself to flee Samuel Costa.
“I think it was a pass to myself, I didn’t have anywhere to go, it was a nice pass to myself with my heel,” Rodrygo informed DAZN.
Poor pitch
The 35-year-old accomplished his hat-trick after 42 minutes from the penalty spot after Largie Ramazani clumsily fouled Lucas Vazquez.
Benzema’s strikes helped him transfer two targets forward of former Madrid attacker Hugo Sanchez to turn out to be the fourth high scorer in La Liga of all time, on 236 targets.
Almeria’s Belgian winger Ramazani did make amends for his mistake by establishing Lazaro to faucet dwelling for Almeria in stoppage time on the finish of the primary half.
If it gave the guests any comeback hopes, they had been crushed early within the second half when Rodrygo turned on the sting of the field and launched a rocket into the highest nook.
Robertone headed dwelling on the hour mark for Almeria as Madrid’s defence switched off.
Following a powerful haul of seven clear sheets in 9 video games, Madrid have now let in six targets of their final two matches, with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City looming within the Champions League semi-finals.
Vinicius made means within the closing levels after taking a knock however Ancelotti mentioned the winger can be match to play within the Copa del Rey closing subsequent weekend.
“He took a blow on the knee but it’s nothing, I think in a couple of days he will recover well, he’s banned for the next game and he will be fine for the cup final,” mentioned the coach.
Vinicius noticed his tenth yellow card of the season in La Liga for complaining about being fouled, and can miss Madrid’s go to to face Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
“It’s quite surprising he has 10 yellows, not even the ugliest midfielder in La Liga has that many,” added Ancelotti.
“He has to improve in some aspects but I think they’ve shown him too many yellows, and not enough for the kicks he’s been given.”
Benzema hit the put up within the closing levels, whereas Madrid substitute Marco Asensio struck the woodwork twice as Ancelotti’s facet toyed with Almeria.
The hosts performed slick soccer although the pitch on the Bernabeu has deteriorated, with the membership planning to exchange it earlier than City go to in May.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
