Benzema earns redemption, talks about criticism

Karim Benzema completed a very good performance just when Real Madrid needed him. The French striker has always enjoyed playing in the UEFA Champions League and Wednesday's match against Napoli wasn't different, with Benzema scoring the equalizing goal after Lorenzo Insigne surprisingly put Napoli ahead on the scoreboard.

"It was a great night, we played a very good game, not just me. I am very proud and happy for my work today, for the sacrifice I put on. Now I feel very well, I scored a goal, saw the fans supporting me and that's very important for my own confidence," said Benzema right after the game.

The French striker was in bad form coming into the game and many fans and critics on the Spanish press wanted to see him sitting on the bench regularly.

"Critics are like that, I live with that kind of criticism ever since I was very young. Sometimes you can score lots of goals and sometimes you can't, but I always try to help the team. I am not the kind of striker who will score, score and score, I like to play for the team and nothing else. I put a lot of work on our training sessions, today I had a great time, there was a lot of movement," he added.

Benzema could probably rest this Saturday against Espanyol, giving Alvaro Morata a chance to start and prove that he is still competing for the starting job.