5 key points from Real Madrid's FIFA Club World Cup win
The Real Madrid fever had hit Abu Dhabi in the past week. Los Blancos came to UAE's capital to participate in FIFA's Club World Cup as the representative of the European Continent.
The Spanish giants came into this tournament after a solid 5-0 win against a tough Sevilla side, that helped raise their low morale due to shaky performances throughout this season.
Being among the lucky ones to watch Zidane's squad live from the stadium, I was able to identify the key factors, players, and movements that altogether give an idea of Los Merengues' season so far:
#5 Karim Benzema's trough
Once considered one of the best strikers of his generation, Karim Benzema is currently living the worst period of his footballing career. Never before have I seen fans jeering a certain player like what happened whenever Benzema made a wrong pass or was substituted.
Zidane constantly defends his team's striker saying that he "will defend Benzema to death." However, it wouldn't be enough to change the striker's mood - head held down in despair when substituted, depressed body language on the field, lack of focus and energy during play, and loads of missed chances that should've been goals.
Those are signs of a player who is really suffering on a mental and psychological level, and it's up to Zidane to figure out a way to get his striker back on track.