Zidane on Benzema criticism

Zinedine Zidane wrote:“The criticism that Karim receives annoys me because for anyone who understands football such things are a disgrace. For me he is the best by some way. It seems that here, a number 9 has to score 50 or 60 goals, but Karim scores 25 or 30 and even 30 or 40 goals, and that’s the real issue. We can't stop people criticising players. Everyone has an opinion, but as a player and manager, and from my own point of view, I don't believe that a striker should just get goals. He's got it all, he scores and assists others”.

“I stick by him because he is the best. These are my players and I'll defend them to the last. I have to stick by him more, because some say he isn’t the best, but for my money, he is. He's been here for years now, that’s no coincidence. He's the best man for the job out on the pitch. The most important thing isn't that he gets goals. He's got it all and can get even better”.

Bet some of y'all got mad hearing him say that in the press conference. I can only agree with him. even laid it out for some of you who think the Classic 9 is still relevant today. I decided to quote this specifically as it warrants attention

Zidane wrote:Y la gente que opine que el nueve es gol, vale, pero no es mi filosofía".

essentially: people think that the 9 is about goals. okay, but it's not my philosophy.

Like I said in the transfer thread about CFs. its not about what y'all think the 9 is responsible for. thats for the coach to decide. Zidane decrees the Modern CF is whats needed and Nobody better than Benz in this regard though his current form is not showing it. no place for classic 9s here.

Nothing new for me but apparently this needs to be spelled out for some of you lot. in any case I am pleased with Zidane backing the Benz. Like everyone else, bale included, our team needs support, not criticism. CR7 is having trouble scoring in open play.  Benz is missing in both offensive and supportive duties. hopefully Benz returns to consistent form soon as does CR7.

Zidane also thinks Benz will get him 25-30 goals in that interview... he won't. He didn't last year either. Mentioned that Karim's play will directly lead to another 30 goals. That won't happen either.

So if you read between the lines, there is a standard he's setting for Benz. But he's doing it in a very smart way by saying he's the best while ASSUMING he will achieve the results he spelled out for him.

if he was scoring 30 and assisting 40 there will be no criticism. let's not act like that's what he's doing. but zidane's answer is the right one, give confidence to the kid, and also challenge him, before this interview came out i said i want benzema to get at least 25 league goals, and above 30 in all competitions. i don't think its too much to ask. is it?

Tito, are you like Zidane, that you don’t recall this kid, as you call him, got a grand total of 9 goals last season. Sure if he hits all the sitters he is presented with, he could hit that make but thus far the number of sitters he has already missed is around 15!

Recognize this press conference for what it is. Zidane is stuck with Benz (and Bale) for the season and needs production out of them. This is how he tries to motivate him and tries to boast his confidence. Nothing more, nothing less.

That would have made sense if Benzema wasnt a 11 goals a season striker in the league.

Even Morata our second choice outscored him last season ffs

Zidane is doing hat any manager in his position should do, back up his guy, his player 300%. He is pretty good and defending his players and i doubt he will ever be the type to attack a player in the press, he is too smart for this. I expected nothing less from him.

It's when we reach the summer that actions speak truer. Are we going to stand pat and not sign any striker? are we going to stand by benzema and think he is our future?

Last summer we failed at signing Mbappe, but at least they wanted someone. Next one, they will try again someone else. There will be guys like Griezmann available, and to me, given his release clause, im willing to bet he is a top 3 target for us.

Anyway, Zidane is not stupid, he is not going to create doubt in the mind of his players mid season, and im sure he genuinely think well of benzema. after all, this team won back to back CL and they are getting 0 respect lol

futbol_bill wrote:Tito, are you like Zidane, that you don’t recall this kid, as you call him, got a grand total of 9 goals last season. Sure if he hits all the sitters he is presented with, he could hit that make but thus far the number of sitters he has already missed is around 15!

Recognize this press conference for what it is. Zidane is stuck with Benz (and Bale) for the season and needs production out of them. This is how he tries to motivate him and tries to boast his confidence. Nothing more, nothing less.

i'm guessing your response was for turok not myself. i said if he was actually hitting 30 goals and 40 assists zidane spoke of, (instead of missing sitters ) we won't be criticizing him. i've got no problems with zidane's press conference, its what i expected him to say. but i think your response wasn't meant for me.....cos i'm not sure where we disagree

oh i get where you're coming from @futbol_bill, i guess you're saying i'm asking too much from benz hoping he can bag 30 plus goals....hey we've got no other cf, we have to hope for big things no matter what. cr will get his numbers, bale will get injured, we don't have goalscorers on the bench, we should be hoping that we can get numbers from benzema, and he needs that pressure on him, cos that's how we can win, since we have no back up goal getters on the bench. might not be realistic, but i'm just trying to dream big damn it

sportsczy wrote:Zidane also thinks Benz will get him 25-30 goals in that interview...  he won't.  He didn't last year either.  Mentioned that Karim's play will directly lead to another 30 goals.  That won't happen either.

So if you read between the lines, there is a standard he's setting for Benz.  But he's doing it in a very smart way by saying he's the best while ASSUMING he will achieve the results he spelled out for him.  

Which is the correct way to approach the matter. I am pleased to see your reading comprehension has not faltered during troubled times Sports. I can trust on you to see the bigger picture.

Tito while I won't dismiss your opinion, I will say this. Right now we're in the midst of our most difficult season yet. complacency is a variable that cannot be ignored. especially given our great success. right now neither CR7 or Benz is seeing their best days. whether its down to complacency, decline, or outright bad luck remains to be seen. the game against tottenham I see it as bad luck and Lloris having the game of his life.

and given the current form, role, and pecking order for benz. while I won't dismiss that benz should score more. hell he should assist A LOT more, reaching that 30 goal mark may be unrealistic. 25 goals is more realistic but given current form even I doubt this will occur.

in any case, Zidane did the correct thing. Set the standard so that when the time comes we dismiss Benz, it will be on him and not on Zidane all while backing him. Though looking at summer targets fills me with unease. losers like Harry kane? ugh...

would rather bring back morata. wonder how vinicius is doing. mariano looks nice too.
would rather aubameyang over that loser kane.

He [Benzema] isn't going to get you 60 goals but he will get 30 and he will also assist for 40 more and that for me is the most important thing.

This is one perfect example of a statement that is factually and statistically incorrect, devoid of all logic and sense, and completely out of touch with reality.

coaches don't define assists like statisticians... in terms of a direct pass that leads directly to a goal. It's more like key passes. He wants Benz to be part of the movement for 40 goals other than his own scoring. it's a milestone he's setting.

as far as goals, he's just setting the standard for Benz, which is the right thing to do. 20-25 league goals and 5 in other competitions. That's reasonable imo.

Basically, as many here have also said, ZZ is letting benz know what he must achieve to remain a regular. Up to him now. I'm not optimistic lol.

Just to summarize... ZZ said that, under the assumption the Benz plays at his best (25-30 goals and 40 key passes), then he considers him the best. He's putting that out there for Benz.

did he say 40 key passes or assists?

He said 30 goals and 40 assists. [Link]

Now keep in mind he's talking about a guy who had 17 goals and 8 assists in all competitions last season.

But hey, there's no law against delusion and bias, so he's free to say whatever floats his boat I guess.

I have no issues with his words, Zidane has to say things like that considering there isn't anyone other than Benzema and Bale to really pick from, ignoring Ronaldo of course.

But if Benzema was racking in the goals, they'll be no real criticism. Just hot air. Since Benzema is not scoring, this whole "strikers don't need to score" always comes up.

"I should have never rejoined Madrid, I was treated like the kid I was before my two seasons in Italy,” said Morata.

Valkyrja wrote:"I should have never rejoined Madrid, I was treated like the kid I was before my two seasons in Italy,” said Morata.

Morata is living in fantasy cuckoo land. He is where he is only because he lucked out being a Real Madrid youngster.

There's no way he would have gotten his recent high profile move to Chelsea, while being courted by Man U, Arsenal, Milan etc, after the way he flopped at Juventus.
He only got hyped so much because Real re-signed him and he was part of their monumentally successful campaign. Basically he rode to star status on the back of Benzema, coming on to collect after Benzema had worked defenses tired.

The guy should thank Real Madrid and Uncle Flo every morning and evening in his prayers for lending their fame, glory and all-conquering self-confidence to his career.

Valkyrja wrote:"I should have never rejoined Madrid, I was treated like the kid I was before my two seasons in Italy,” said Morata.

Ungrateful turd

sportsczy wrote:

Valkyrja wrote:"I should have never rejoined Madrid, I was treated like the kid I was before my two seasons in Italy,” said Morata.

Ungrateful turd

ungrateful ? While Morata was scoring goals, Z kept playing crippled strikers. Now, we're coming up to the rack

How dare he be ungrateful for the chance to warm the bench for Madrid. Smh.

Morata sees himself better than he is mostly because he hasn’t navigated around clubs of huge name since is youth. Atlético, Madrid, Juventus now Chelsea.

It’s just as Han said, he doesn’t have one season start to finish where he Is legit.

But at the same time you have to understand what he means. Zidane ignored him for long stretches last season even when he was in better form than Benzema.

Benzema in this club is treated like a disapperaring species, ridiculous

He is better than Benz and is legitimately disgruntled at not getting a chance at his spot after Madrid purchased him again. I doubt he was thrilled to find out he was seen by Flo as essentially a stock to buy low and sell high.

I think you guys are misreading his (Morata's) statements. He's talking about his love of Italy, how he really didn't want to leave and how he went as a boy and became a man.

What he isn't saying is he found the love of his life there and that's likely what he is referring to when he said the boy became a man.

I personally have no issue for him wanting out. He never had Zidane's confidence and had to play second fiddle to Benz who he clearly was (and is) better than. He may or may not become a legitimate top striker, but he at least has the opportunity to become that, something he never would under Zidane.

The plan B, after the plan A for Mbappe, should have been for Zidane / Flo to express some confidence in him and convinced him to stay. The threat for him to leave was there for Isco as well from Feb thru May. It wouldn't have taken much on Zidane part to give him some opportunities over the ineffective Benz and being the man manager he is purported to be, a few whispers of confidence in his ear as he has done with Isco. I sure some of you will say they wanted the money from the Morata sale before making a bid for Mbappe, but the fact is they have many times in the past gone after the target early and did the resultant sales later. This easily could have been done with Morata.

So while I get the love of Zidane here and also the dislike most of you have for Morata, I say Zidane is at fault for 1. his continual support for Benz 2. not recognizing that Mbappe's demands were not realistic and 3. not putting a plan B into effect.