Real Madrid and Barcelona have chosen the ideal time to ꜰᴇᴀsᴛ. The whites’ finest ᴏꜰꜰᴇɴsɪᴠᴇ performance of the year saw them demolish Valladolid 6-0. The blaugranas triumphed resoundingly over Elche as well (0-4). Additionally, doing so meritoriously while scarcely displaying any evidence of weakness. They celebrate more than just three points, in the meanwhile. Before this past weekend, his “9,” Benzema and Lewandowski, were not having a particularly strong run. They have tested themselves at the top of the Pichichi with hat-tricks and doubles, respectively, and have proven that getting to the finish of the season in top form is possible regardless of age.
Against Valladolid this season, Benzema scored his 14th goal in LaLiga Santander. He excelled in his performance, connecting with Rodrygo, Vinicius, and three outstanding goals in an effervescent manner. One of them had a Chilean stocking, while the other had a close-cropped ʟᴀsʜ that Asenjo could only see with his eyes. The arrival of his first triplet in 2022–2023 couldn’t have occurred at a better moment. Karim responds each time in the spring. The international break provided a brief respite that allowed players to regain their mojo before the start of the Champions League and Copa del Rey’s final stages.
Lewandowski had gone over a month without scoring in LaLiga Santander. since his goal against Cadiz on February 19. Afterwards, he failed to score against Almera, Athletic, or even Madrid itself—a goal he did score in the Spanish Super Cup final. With 17 goals, the Pole still tops the list of domestic championship top scorers, but Benzema is catching up to him. Given the gap between the two Spanish footballing behemoths from now until the end of the season, it may be the most evenly contested matchup. In ꜰᴀᴄᴛ, the blaugrana are nearly guaranteed to win the championship.
Robert Lewandowski, who is 34 years old, has already played 34 games for Barcelona this season, in addition to the qualifying and the World Cup with Poland. His legs, which he has hardly noticed in performance, are being crushed. As he has shown in Munich while also donning the culé elastic, the striker is still in excellent physical shape. Like Benzema, who has 35 years, 29 fights this season, and his incidental France appearances behind him. Despite having physical issues thus far this year, as he demonstrated in his recital against Valladolid, he completes the final stretch in full.
Well accompanied
The day following the break has also offered less common players a chance to prove themselves. With magnificent goals against Elche from Ansu Fati and Ferran, Barcelona felt it. And Madrid has Rodrygo and occasion scorer Asensio. Although the Brazilian is nothing new, his display of movements and connection at the Bernabéu elevates him for the Clásico on Wednesday.
The eleven of Xavi and Ancelotti are a ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ, in actuality. The logical thing to do in the case of Barça would be to continue the four in the center strategy that has been so successful against their enduring opponent. Yet, the potential losses of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong make the option more challenging. As a result, they might enter three up, with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski virtually secured a spot.
After taking a 90-minute break against Valladolid, Fede Valverde and Luka Modric hope to start. The Uruguayan’s position, whether as a right winger or in midfield, is still up in the air. Rodrygo will enter up front and Toni Kroos or the Croatian might tumble if Ancelotti believes it is from the game’s back. In contrast, if he wagers on the “Pajarito” as the ᴏꜰꜰᴇɴsɪᴠᴇ man, the Brazilian would very certainly be left off the starting eleven.
Nonetheless, Ancelotti and Xavi grinned as their ᴏꜰꜰᴇɴsɪᴠᴇ ᴍᴇɴ moved forward. Key players may experience extreme wear and tear and travel overload during the March national team break, but those who stay can advance physically for the remaining matches. Real Madrid and Barcelona, who play each other on Wednesday for a spot in the Copa del Rey final, are an example of this.
