Karim Benzema explains thought process behind Panenka penalty v Man City

Karim Benzema has finally revealed what went through his mind before he scored an outrageous Panenka penalty in a Champions League semi-final.

The Frenchman has been one of the best players in the world this season, fast becoming a favourite for the Ballon d’Or.

His 27 goals and 12 assists has fired Madrid to their 35th La Liga title, secured with four games to spare. An impossibly important piece of Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Benzema has been involved in 49% of Real’s league goals.

Read: L’Equipe reveal five front runners for Ballon D’Or with brand new winner set

Furthermore,  Benzema has led Real Madrid to the Champions League final. He has helped them to make improbable comebacks on multiple occasions. His competition-leading 15 goals include hat-tricks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the knockout rounds.

In addition, he scored three goals in the two matches of the semi-final against Manchester City.

His penalty at the Bernabeu sealed an unbelievable turnaround in the second leg. Real scored two goals late on to force extra time, before Benzema slotted home from the spot to send his side to Paris. However, his most memorable effort from the semi-final tie came in the first leg at the Etihad.

An audacious Panenka

Real Madrid’s striker pulled off a classy penalty in their first-leg defeat at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side won 4-3 in an instant classic, but it was a game made more unforgettable by the quality of the goals.

4-2 down at the time, Madrid won a penalty after Aymeric Laporte handled the ball. Benzema, who had already scored in the first half, proved himself as the coolest man in the stadium.

He deftly chipped his penalty into the back of the net, leaving a sprawling Ederson to look on as the ball gently glided over him. The ice in the Frenchman’s veins gave Real a chance heading into the second leg in Spain, which they went on to take.

Since then, Karim Benzema has revealed precisely why he chose to try such an audacious penalty.

Karim Benzema explains his penalty

In an interview with UEFA TV, Benzema talked openly about his outrageous spot kick.

“I was trying for a long time, and I was waiting for the right moment, in a match like this with a lot of pressure. In this way, the pressure is gone,” explained Benzema, per RMC Sport. “There was pressure. It’s normal. But good pressure, it’s a kind of pressure that allows you to do this kind of thing. That’s my opinion. I don’t know about others.”

The Real talisman then revealed that the idea came to him as he prepared to take the spot kick.

“I put the ball down, and I knew that I was going to do it. I thought of nothing else, I only thought of doing it.”

Watching his penalty, fans noticed that Benzema stares at the referee until the official blows his whistle.

“I always do that,” confirmed the Frenchman. “Not just this time. If I don’t do it, I don’t see it, and I don’t hear it. I’m so focused, I can’t hear anything anymore. Just focusing on my action and my rigour, hoping that the ball goes in.”

Is this why Benzema watched the ball into the net?

“No, it was not the case at all. I kept my eyes on the ball because it was a good shot. That’s why I was looking at it, not because I thought it was going to hit the bar. I just watched and waited before I could celebrate the goal.”

Although incredibly effective the first time, it’s hard to see Karim Benzema repeating the skill if Real Madrid win a penalty in the final.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

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