Real Madrid extended their unbeaten run in the Madrid derby to eight with a comprehensive 2-0 win over their city rivals to establish an eight points gap lead at the top of the La Liga table with Sevilla, the closest team to Los Blancos.
Karim Benzema celebrates with Vinicius Junior against Sevilla. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio helped the Carlo Ancelotti side make it ten consecutive wins in all competitions which takes them 13 points clear of defending Champions, Atletico Madrid and 18 ahead of their arch rivals, Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti side have now scored 39 goals in 17 league games this season, more than any other team in the Spanish top-flight. Moreso, they have conceded only 15 goals, only Sevilla and Athletic Club have conceded fewer and their goal difference of +24 is at least nine more than any other team.
In all ramifications this season in the La Liga, Real Madrid have been better than any other team. They are the highest rated team so far, managed more average shot on target than any other side. Even if Barcelona have the more passes per game, Madrid have been more progressive in their passing and have the best completed passes percentage.
They have created the most big chances and overall play the best football. Very disciplined under Carlo Ancelotti, they remain the only team in the league this season not to have a player sent off, which is a mind-blowing turnaround considering the reputation of the club and her players in recent years.
However, we look at the three players who have been standout performers for Los Blancos, giving them the edge over their rivals in the race for the league title this season.
3. Karim Benzema
The Frenchman has stepped up well and risen to the occasion after the departure of several top players in the group. Even Real look like a team in transition but the presence of their mid field trio in the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro is still deceiving.
Karim Benzema has stepped up for Real Madrid and again showed his prowess in the Madrid derby with the opening goal. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Benzema has produced a remarkable 20 goal contribution in just 16 league games this term with 13 goals and seven assists, making him the best, not only in the La Liga but one of the best in world football currently.
The face of La Liga after the departure of Lionel Messi from Barcelona, Benzema now have a clear path to ruling in the Spanish top-flight for as long as he decides to remain in Madrid. Leading Real to the league title this season will be a sensational way to announce the start of his reign, and so far, he has been there, when the club needs him to be.
2. Thibaut Courtois
The 29year old Belgian has proven more than a successor for Keylor Navas even though he has not been able to enjoy as much success as the Costa Rican Goalkeeper.
Since the start of the 2019-20 season, no goalkeeper has kept more clean sheet than Thibaut Courtois in the La Liga. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Courtois has produced a lot of man of the match performances between the sticks and over the past two seasons, has kept the most clean sheet in the league making over 200 saves (numbers including this season).
So far this season, he has made 48 crucial saves and kept six clean sheets. He latest heroics in the Madrid derby is another testament of how vital he has been for Real Madrid in their cause to win the league this term.
1. Vinicius Junior
One can ask ‘where will Real Madrid have been without the young Brazilian this season ?’
Vinicius Junior showed off his La Liga player of the month award for November before impressing in the Madrid derby win. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Vinicius Junior has been a revelation under Manager Carlo Ancelotti. His game mentality has been up there since the start of the season. He has got more confidence and getting even better games after games in all competitions this season.
More like a new signing, not just a signing but a marque signing, it is as though he is not the same Vinicius Junior, who has been with Real Madrid since 2018. He has become one of the most important players in the squad, one that gives his teammates more confidence on the ball.
They are always happy to get the ball to him because they know, he utilizes it to devastating effect. His dribbling, passing, controls, movement and eye for goal have all improved this term. In the La Liga, he has the best average for dribbles completed per games.
He is also one of the three players to have reached double digits for goals in the league, scoring ten times while also registering four assists. He has been very important in winning big games. He scored and assisted against Valencia and also played a huge part in David Alaba’s opener in the Clasico.
He scored a late winner against Sevilla, the opener against Sociedad and a couple of assists in the win over Atletico Madrid. The 21year old is finally living up to the expectations that made Real Madrid sign him from his boyhood club Flamengo.
Of course, all the players on the books at Real have played their part in the success so far but this three have been on another level, and might just have Los Blancos running away with the league title with the early display of dominance.
Author: Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
