Benzema hat-trick helps lift gloom at Real Madrid

August 01, 2019 | 16:46

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French striker Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid defeated Fenerbahce 5-3 in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday (Jul 31) which temporarily lifted the summer gloom which has engulfed the Spanish giants and coach Zinedine Zidane.

benzema hat trick helps lift gloom at real madrid

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema celebrates scoring. (AFP/Christof STACHE)

However, problems remain for Real as they have now conceded 16 goals in just five friendly matches.

They faced their Turkish opponents having been defeated by Tottenham 1-0 on Tuesday in the first match of a four-team event which also features German champions Bayern Munich.

"We are going to find the solutions, we are going to work. I stand by my players and I know that we are going to make progress and that we will have a very good season," said Zidane whose team had been left bruised by a humiliating 7-3 defeat by city rivals Atletico in a friendly in the United States last week.

"Nobody likes conceding three goals but we have scored five. For us, this is a positive victory."

Zidane's preparations for the new season have also been overshadowed by the saga of Gareth Bale's future at the club.

The Welsh star was left out of the Spanish side's squad for the two matches in Munich after his planned transfer to Chinese side Jiangsu Suning, who had offered the Welshman a three-year-deal worth £1 million ($1.1 million) a week, broke down.

Benzema said the humilation at the hands of Atletico was a thing of the past and that the crucial date will be the weekend of Aug 17 when the new La Liga season starts.

"The criticisms after the match against Atletico were normal. It was only a friendly but you cannot concede seven goals," said the French striker.

"However, it's no longer on my mind."

AFP

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