DBasia.news – LaLiga 2021-2022 no longer has Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi, but the competition at the top of the table has not changed which is still contested by Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla.
Madrid is still going strong without Ramos and Raphael Varane. Even though they only brought in David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga, El Real was coached by a coach full of experience and success, Carlo Ancelotti, to be able to maintain a high level of play.
Madrid recently won 2-1 over Valencia in week five of LaLiga, Monday (20/09) am, WIB through two goals at the end of the match scored by Vinicius Junior (86′) and Karim Benzema (88′) who replied to Hugo Duro’s goal (66′).
Madrid won the game with 62% possession plus a record of 18 shots and 10 on target. The result is enough for Madrid to top the standings with 13 points from five matches, two points adrift of Atletico in second (11 points).
With the old faces in their squad, Madrid is still the favorite to win the LaLiga champions where Atletico won last season. The presence of Alaba and Camavinga completes Madrid’s strength in the back and midfield.
One interesting thing is Madrid’s unchanging dependence on 33-year-old striker Karim Benzema. The French striker has so far played a central role at Madrid with a record of six goals and five assists (the most in LaLiga).
Chasing after Ferenc Puskas’ record
Without Lionel Messi at Barcelona who has won the Pichichi (top scorer title) six times, Benzema’s chances of winning it are quite large with his rival team mate or Atletico striker Luis Suarez who has only scored one goal.
Benzema has started well with six goals and five assists. Quoted from Marca, there is the potential for Benzema to equal the record of Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas as the winner of the top scorer title over the age of 30.
Puskas who played in the mid-1958-1966 won the Pichichi four times at the age of 33, 34, 36 and 37 years. Just for the record, Puskas came to Madrid at the age of 31 years and Pichichi’s four records show his quality and physical strength.
Benzema finished third in Pichichi in the 2018-2019 season and was runner-up for the last two seasons. If he can win the award this season then he will be in the history books with Puskas.