Real Madrid 4-1 Huesca: 5 Talking Points as Eden Hazard returns with a bang | La Liga 2020-21

Real Madrid vs SD Huesca - La Liga Santander
Real Madrid vs SD Huesca - La Liga Santander

#3 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema is in rich goal-scoring form

Karim Benzema scored a brace for Real Madrid against Huesca.
Karim Benzema scored a brace for Real Madrid against Huesca.

Karim Benzema faced plenty of criticism in the Spanish media after cameras caught him telling Ferland Mendy not to pass the ball to Vinicius Jr. in the second half of Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach.

However, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane brushed aside the issue as a minor one, observing that such things were a common occurence in top-level football.

Against Huesca, Benzema turned in a fantastic performance. The Frenchman scored both of his goals courtesy excellent positioning and finishes, while also providing an assist for Fede Valverde. He may not be a media darling,nor a fan-favourite, but Benzema remains a very key player for Real Madrid.

Indeed, once Vinicius Jr. came on, it was clear that there was no issue between the pair. With his first pass, the Brazilian youngster almost set up Benzema for his hat-trick. All seems good with Real Madrid yet again.


#2 Sergio Ramos' 500th La Liga game had the cake but not the cherry on top

Sergio Ramos watches as Real Madrid conceded against Huesca.
Sergio Ramos watches as Real Madrid conceded against Huesca.

Sergio Ramos certainly has had way more eventful games than the one against Huesca, but the Spanish legend would have been glad to walk away with a 4-1 win on a lovely afternoon under the Spanish sun in the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.

It was his 500th game in La Liga, making Ramos only the third defender to ever reach that milestone in Real Madrid's storied history.

A clean sheet or a goal for Ramos would have been the cherry on top, but there was none of that for the Real Madrid captain in his landmark game.

Huesca striker Rafa Mir did trouble Ramos on occasion, and when Casemiro left the pitch, a bit of Real Madrid's defensive organisation went with the Brazilian, allowing Ferreiro to score and dampen Ramos' afternoon a wee bit.

However, Ramos has always been a player about results and trophies. He will not be too disgruntled about a 4-1 win, not when there's a trophy to be won at the end of it all.


#1 Zinedine Zidane has concerns ahead of the Inter Milan game

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane

Yes, it's only Real Madrid who can walk away from a 4-1 win with plenty of issues to ponder and correct. Madridistas are a hard bunch to please anyway, but they surely ought to have noticed some glaring issues with their team.

Zinedine Zidane witnessed his side start slowly for the umpteenth time, and had Huesca been a bit more clinical, the game could have taken a very wrong turn for Real Madrid. However, Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema ensured that that did not happen, but to count on them doing it in every game seems naive.

Real Madrid next face Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek. Madrid's right-back position is something the Inter manager Antonio Conte will likely target, as Lucas Vasquez struggled defensively against Huesca, and his replacement Ferland Mendy also didn't fare much better.

Perhaps it is time to trust Nacho once again, but Zidane certainly has his work cut out to shore up his defence, especially when Casemiro is not on the pitch.

It is an area of concern for the Madrid manager, but he certainly has the pedigree and nous to find a solution.

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