Madrid: A second half double from Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid to a 4-1 victory Sunday at Girona and maintain their perfect La Liga start in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era.
Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale also netted for Julen Lopetegui’s European champions, who appear to have put the disappointment of their Super Cup defeat to neighbours Atletico Madrid earlier this month behind them.
“We were trying to force things in the first half attack-wise and misplacing too many passes,” Lopetegui said. “Of course, you play better when the scoreboard is in your favour. Girona pressurised us in the first half, but in the second we came back. The side is functioning and when they do so, goals come. The important thing is that we score goals, not who scores them.”
After seeing Benzema denied by a linesman’s flag in the opening stages, Real were given an early scare and found themselves behind after 17 minutes when former B-team player Borja Garcia put the Catalans in front with a composed finish.
However, Girona were made to pay for their profligacy when Marc Muniesa felled Marco Asensio in the box just before half time.
Ramos coolly chipped the ball into the roof of the net from the ensuing penalty and from then on it was one-way traffic.
Benzema was twice thwarted by Girona stopper Bono following the restart. However, he was not to be denied when Asensio won another spot-kick after he was crudely brought down by Pere Pons. Captain Ramos allowed the France forward to take the kick and put Real ahead.
With the home side chasing the game, Real were a constant threat on the counter and Bale gave a glimpse of his searing pace when he latched onto an Isco through ball to score in his sixth consecutive league appearance. He then set up Benzema’s second.