Two against the world

Real Madrid’s offensive system has been reduced to two pieces, but of such inspiration and effectiveness that they carry the entire team on their shoulders. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior, the dynamic duo that continues to bring chestnuts out of the fire for the rest. Twice in less than four days. Vini’s solo double avoided a possible puncture in Elche (Karim rested) and this past Wednesday, again as a couple, they arranged a bad choral match of practically all their teammates against Shakhtar, except for Courtois.

It is not a coincidence. There are two against the world and their goals feed this Madrid: 22 of the 35 of the team were signed by Benzema and Vinicius. Almost two-thirds of the total, 62.8 percent … In the Champions League, six of the nine Madrid goals. In fact, only one other teammate of his has scored this season in Europe, Rodrygo (twice).

For Karim they ask for the Ballon d’Or even their victims and ‘Vinichus’, the way Ancelotti pronounces (under the influence of Italian) the Brazilian’s name, “he’s plugged in.” The key to this also lies in the fact that they are finally looking for each other in both directions. Vinicius has always been aware of the French, but incidents like that of Mónchengladbach put in doubt that the opposite happened. The chemistry between the two did not flow but now it is so evident that a curious circumstance has occurred. Benzema had not yet given Vinicius an assist in their first three years together. Well, this season there have already been four. From Friends Five decisive passes have gone to Karim. Two of them went to Shakhtar and the second, 2-1, entering the opposite band, from the right. Vinicius begins to ‘copy’ the 9 Madridista in his desire to appear in places where they are not expected.

Karim becomes the hammer

A relationship that begins to resemble Benzema’s with Cristiano, in which now Vinicius is the preparer and Karim the executor. That association between the Frenchman and the Portuguese generated 66 goals for Madrid directly (a pass from Benzema and a goal from Cristiano, or vice versa) in 342 games together (22,355 ‘). Benzema and Vinicius go for 15 goals manufactured and resolved between them in 116 games (6,223 ‘) in which they have coincided on the pitch.

A couple whose main candidate to form a trio has fallen (Rodrygo, injured until the end of the break) but who do not seem to need help either. At this level, it is the rest who are increasingly forced to join this more than fruitful partnership between KB9 and Friends.