So it seemed that I ruffled a few feathers when I went out on a limb and stated that Hernandez was a better footballer than Benzema. Yes, that SAME Benzema who decided to be a brick wall in the first leg where everything bounced off him. Now, before you start to throw insults at me, I am not insulting Mercedes Benz, or calling him an official brick, but excuse me, as far as being a footballer and a STRIKER, Hernandez will get my pick EVERY TIME over Mister Karim.
If Benzema had been fit and played ahead of Chicharito, I'm really then not too sure if Madrid would have gotten that goal. Because there are times when Benzema can look good and works for Madrid, and others times where it is PAINFUL to watch him. But I rarely have seen a game where Hernandez has been useless, or where he has given less than a hundred and fifty percent. He ALWAYS applies himself, but does so in the right way.
Madrid against Atletico the other night looked a different team. Chicharito made runs that Benzema just never made which meant that forward ball from would always be on because the Mexican would look to try and run into that space and latch onto that ball. It made Madrid more threatening and also meant Godin and Miranda had a lot more to think about and actually had to do more marking and defending which would not be the case with Benzema who would always be more than happy to pass the ball back or search for Cristiano or Bale first. And that has always been the issue I have had with Benzema since he came to Madrid. The role says STRIKER but he plays more like an attacking midfielder. He is not constantly making dangerous runs and does not have that mentality to create a shot for himself with a roll of a defender and turning.
It would have been a CRIME if Hernandez had not scored that night. He was the ONE man who deserved to get that G. The amount of effort he put in to prove a point to Carlo could not have gone unrewarded. And it was just a case of being in the right place at the right time, which is what all great strikers are able to do. The finish was simple, it was all about reading the game, Cristiano's run and being ready to receive the ball to pounce and put the final blow into the red and white enemy. I for one was really happy for him, because I think he has been given a very raw deal at United. You can see the frustration on his face when he is brought on, scores and does not start the next game. And with Falcao doing his own version of bricklaying, Van Gaal should think long and hard before just deciding to dump him.
But if he does, with Madrid now going into the semis, I must implore Ancelotti to use an alternative to Benzema. The tactics of last year will not work all by themselves. There needs to be flexibility and the ability to manoeuvre. Hernandez gives Madrid a more attacking threat and also gives guys like Kroos, Marcelo and Isco the opportunity to play more dangerous and inventive balls into the box because Hernandez will BREAK HIS NECK to get to it....which the same cannot be said for our good friend Mr. Karim.
HH
