Karim Benzema believes Real Madrid should find earlier goals in games if they don’t want to suffer after their 3-1 Copa del Rey comeback against Atlético Madrid.
Los Blancos failed to score a goal until the last quarter of normal time at the Santiago Bernabéu, when Rodrigo canceled Alvaro Morata’s opener.
His superb solo performance forced the hosts into extra time in Thursday’s quarter-final match, with new goals from Benzema and Vinicius Junior to seal the hosts’ victory.
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner acknowledged that his team had put in the work to secure a place in the last four matches by scoring points, but emphasized that they always had enough quality to respond.
“It was a very difficult and difficult game,” the French footballer later recalled. “But with the players and talent we have, we knew we could come back.
“Maybe we need to score early because we don’t like to suffer. Atlético are well placed, behind, and it cost us. Rodrigo’s answer was a great goal.”
3- @Benzema scored the last three @realmadridenextra-time goals in any competition (the other two were scored by Chelsea and Manchester City in the 2021/2022 Champions League). Specialist. pic.twitter.com/PHpTLlrjYU
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 26, 2023
For Vinicius, his goal provided a bright end to a difficult day when the Brazilian winger’s effigy was hung on a bridge outside Madrid’s training ground ahead of the derby.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti praised the 22-year-old in his post-match comments, adding that there was never any doubt that he would miss the match despite the incident.
“Vinicius always wanted to play and was very focused on the game,” he said. “He played a great game. What happened today elsewhere is very unfortunate.”