Crunch time for Benzema

The fact that Karim Benzema has only scored five La Liga goals this season is a shocking statistic. In 25 games played, he has had more success as a provider than a goalscorer, contributing eight assists. That being said, his tally would be better if his five shots that have hit the woodwork had gone in. 

Malaga are one of the five sides that Benzema has found the net against so far, alongside Getafe, Leganes, Betis and Las Palmas. Benzema will be desperate to improve these stats, and he knows that, at least for now, he has Zinedine Zidane's confidence to do so.

However, football is ever-changing, and with Gareth Bale, Isco, Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio all knocking on Zidane's door, it is no easy feat for Benzema to retain his place in Real's first team plans. The forward needs to fight for his previously indisputable place in the line-up, with the season coming to the business end.

Zidane has always made it clear that Benzema brings more to the side than goals, despite goalscoring being the bread and butter of a number 9. Nevertheless, goals are what fuels a striker, and a failure to provide them is always going to nag at the mentality of a forward. Getting his name on the scoresheet would bring confidence back into the Frenchman's game, and would help his case in the fight to be part of Zidane's plans for the most important games of Real's season. The Madrid manager needs reasons to pick Benzema, and Malaga could be the perfect opportunity for the forward to start giving them.