MY ACCOUNT
Karim Benzema is ageing like a fine wine.
The striker has almost single-handedly fired Real Madrid to the Champions League final, netting a remarkable 15 goals in 11 outings.
He is in the form of his life and has already helped knock Chelsea and Manchester City out of Europe’s elite club competition.
The Frenchman, 34, will want to make it a hat-trick of Premier League scalps and has Liverpool firmly in his sights as he bids to win the European Cup on home soil.
Ahead of tonight’s clash at the Stade de France in Paris, we consider how the Reds can stop Real’s on-fire forward.
Goal machine
Benzema has scored in all but two of the Champions League matches he has featured in this term.
Inter Milan are the only team he has failed to hit the back of the net against, while he made up for a goalless appearance against Paris Saint-Germain by hitting a treble in the second leg of their last-16 tie.
The scary thing about the France international is he only needs half-chances to find the net.
His 15 Champions League strikes have come from just 7.15 expected goals, proving Madrid’s No9 is a clinical finisher.
Liverpool’s high defensive line sees them give up a handful of chances in most matches — and you can guarantee Benzema will make the most of any opportunities afforded to him.
Stepping out from the shadows
Real have not lifted the Champions League trophy since the 2017-18 campaign, when Benzema scored a freak goal in the final — blocking Loris Karius’ attempted pass to give Los Blancos the lead against tonight’s opponents.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the main man for Madrid that season with 15 goals, while Gareth Bale stole the show against the Reds with a sensational overhead kick.
Benzema took up the mantle of main goalscorer following Ronaldo’s departure last summer and Real are determined to enjoy Champions League success for the first time since that 3-1 win over Jurgen Klopp’s men.
This is the Lyon native’s opportunity to take centre stage once more as the Spaniards bid to secure a LaLiga and European double with him as their star man.
The perfect forward
Some managers shy away from an overreliance on a single player — but Carlo Ancelotti is not one of them. In fact, he seems to encourage it.
Speaking last month, he said: “We are dependent on Benzema.
“That’s how it is, we are not going to deny it. And I’m very happy we are dependent on Karim. It’s a reality and it’s a good thing.
“Karim is a modern forward and [does] what is required of strikers. Everything, including defensive work.
“He is the perfect representation of what a centre forward should be in football today.”
The Ballon d’Or battle
Reports suggest Benzema is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or — and Champions League success would all but confirm it.
However, his closest rival appears to be Liverpool’s Sadio Mane.
This is by no means a winner-takes-all scenario but a Liverpool victory would strengthen Mane’s claim and weaken Benzema’s.
The Real attacker will not need any more motivation to perform on the biggest stage — but he will know an eye-catching role in a win virtually guarantees recognition as the world’s best player.
Unstoppable force meets immovable object
This evening’s final could be decided by the match-up between Benzema and Virgil van Dijk.
Madrid’s 94-cap international has already outsmarted the likes of Thiago Silva, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and Marquinhos this term.
His biggest test, however, will be against Liverpool’s dominant Dutchman.
If he comes out on top in that tussle, Real are likely to win the Champions League. But if Van Dijk is able to nullify him, he effectively blunts Ancelotti’s attack.
That intriguing battle is likely to be the deciding factor in the French capital.
