'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Hit: Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)
Pictures often illustrate all that needs to be said. In Vazquez's case, that's certainly true: the Real Madrid winger-turned-full-back was defensively aware and didn't back down on the infrequent occasions he needed to respond.
Thwarting Thuram and Plea as they lurked dangerously from time to time is easier said than done, considering the pair are both among the Bundesliga's top forwards.
He made three defensive interventions, committed four fouls - without punishment like Stindl - and proved he wasn't going to be bullied off-the-ball, even from an uncomfortable role at right-back.
Daniel Carvajal was named in the matchday squad but missed their last three matches (all competitions) with a muscle injury, though Zidane interestingly didn't choose him or Alvaro Odriozola to start here. This is a testament to the winger's determination to stay and fight for his place this season.
It's easy to forget that he was linked with a Premier League move over the summer months. The 29-year-old was a constant creative threat (five key passes) and picked the right time for his best individual display of 2020. He delivered a pinpoint cross for Benzema's first goal, while Sommer made an important save to deny him a second assist before half-time as Modric hit the post.
Crucially, Vazquez grew as the game wore on and with a bit more fortune, would've had more goal contributions to his name. He hit the woodwork after combining well alongside Benzema in transition, with a beautiful dummy leaving Nico Elvedi scrambling to recover.
Both he and Sommer could only watch as the ball cannoned back off the upright on an evening where the winger certainly boosted his stock in Zidane's eyes on both ends of the pitch.
#1 Hit: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
It was a landmark appearance for Karim Benzema, who ultimately proved Real Madrid's matchwinner in a game they simply couldn't afford to slip up in. As they did on Sunday at Sevilla though, Los Blancos earned a much-needed victory and had Karim to thank for that.
Given his perfectionist nature as a top centre-forward, he'd have been left ruing his misses rather than celebrating a well-taken brace. He could've had a first-half hat-trick but saw his deflected header flash wide of Sommer's far post.
He took both goals - almost identical headers - well from close range and pressed intently out of possession as Real Madrid looked to kill off the game as a contest early in the second half. When it didn't come, Gladbach grew in confidence but failed to make the game exciting from a neutral perspective, though they largely had the woodwork, and had Sommer to thank for it only being 2-0.
He was willing to drop deeper and help progress play from midfield, linking up well in the build-up phase with the Vazquez-Rodrygo pairing down the right-hand side. On another day, he'd have earned at least two assists for his endeavour - watching Vazquez hit the post and Rodrygo's effort flash narrowly wide.
The Frenchman also recorded five key passes and almost had his first hat-trick of the year late on but failed to get enough power on a header at the far post as Sommer smothered the effort. This was Zidane's 150th win as Real Madrid head coach, a statistic he'll be happy with - though contributions like Benzema's are invaluable.
He turns 33 next weekend and is showing no signs of slowing down as Real Madrid's focal point in attack - now the joint-top non-Spanish appearance maker alongside Roberto Carlos, a record he's poised to break at home to Atletico Madrid this Saturday.
He's now on 69 Champions League goals and as far as statistics are concerned, Benzema is finally starting to get his dues as Real Madrid's evergreen talisman.
Stats' source: SofaScore
