• News

Zidane singles out ‘impressive’ Benzema after Chelsea stalemate

Karim Benzema - Real Madrid
Getty Images
Advertisement

The French forward netted from a sumptuous effort to ensure a share of the spoils at the Alfredo Di Stefano on Wednesday night.

Zinedine Zidane has hailed Karim Benzema for his performance in Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final first-leg.

Benzema brilliantly controlled the ball on his head, kept his balance despite intense pressure inside the box, and volleyed it into the back of the net to get Real Madrid back in the game after Christian Pulisic had put Chelsea on the front foot.

The strike saw the 30-year-old reach a Champions League milestone as he drew level with club legend Raul Gonzalez as the fourth-highest scorer in the competition on 71 goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Robert Lewandowski.

It was the Frenchman’s sixth goal in Europe this season, and 28 overall, as he continued his red hot goalscoring form.

“Karim is impressive, I’m happy for him. I am not surprised by what he does,” Zidane stated after the match, via Goal.

Zidane added on the result: “The important thing is the effort they made. The opponent is very good, you have to suffer. But I’m happy for everyone because we’re still alive and we have to go to London to try to win the game.

“It is not easy to win a Champions League semi-final against a very good opponent.

“We suffer, but we are on the right track. We are not going to score three or four goals in every game.”

x