Benzema Hope Barcelona Lose To Sevilla

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was delighted that he helped his side close the gap on Barcelona at the top of the table at least momentarily after their 2-0 win over Hercules. However, the French international stressed the importance of each match left in La Liga.

''There is plenty of the championship to play for and we seek to win all our remaining games. The gap for now is only four points and I really hope Barcelona lose to Sevilla tomorrow,'' the striker told Canal Plus after the game.

''I'm lucky because I'm scoring almost two goals a game thanks to my team-mates,'' added the 23 year-old.

However, straight after his brace against the relegation threatened side, he quickly turned his mind to the game against Lyon on Wednesday.

''We are 90 minutes away from the quarter-finals and hopefully we'll win.''

This was the third game in a row that Benzema has netted a double, bringing his season tally up to 14 goals in all competitions despite playing second fiddle to Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo for a large portion of the season.

Work Smarter

Real Madrid's Problem Is Their Style Of Play, Not Busy Schedule - Johan Cruyff 

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has pointed out that the busy schedule is not Real Madrid's problem.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho partially blamed his side's busy schedule for their scoreless draw against Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend, but Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has pointed out that it is Los Blancos' style of play that is the actual problem.

"Barcelona have less problems with playing two games per week than Real Madrid. The biggest difference between the two clubs is their style of play and that is the reason why Madrid struggle with the busy schedule," said Cruyff to El Periodico de Catalunya.

"Barca always dominate their games and have a lot of possession. Real Madrid on the other hand get a lot more tired because they always win the ball far away from their opponents' goal. That means that they have to do a lot more running. Both going forward and in defence.

"Madrid could easily have won the match against Deportivo. They have some excellent players and always create plenty of chances. However, there comes a moment where your players get tired and then you pay the price for all the excessive work in previous games."

Real Madrid's failure to clinch victory in Galicia has caused them to fall seven points behind their rivals in the Primera Division table.

Real Madrid 2-0 Levante: Close Gap On Barcelona After Winning On Levante

Real Madrid easily disposed of Levante 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to keep up the pressure on leaders Barcelona before their clash with Athletic Bilbao tomorrow.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring early in the game after some marvellous play by Angel Di Maria and Ricardo Carvalho added a second to give Jose Mourinho's men a two-goal lead at half-time. There were no more changes to the scoreboard after the break as Real Madrid cruised to a comfortable victory.

Los Blancos took the game by storm and opened the scoring as early as the seventh minute. Di Maria went on a blistering run on the right, leaving three defenders in his wake, before crossing for Benzema who was left with the simplest of finishes just outside the six-yard box.

The visitors were struggling to get into the game as they looked clearly intimidated by the growing confidence in Los Blancos' play. Cristiano Ronaldo nearly lobbed Gustavo Munua in the 20th minute and moments later Di Maria stung the goalkeeper's palms with a thunderous curled shot from distance.

Madrid continued to dominate the game and were looking to exploit all the space given to the attackers by Levante's somewhat uncoordinated defence. A second goal was on the way and it came from an unlikely source in the face of Carvalho. The defender pounced on a terrbile mistake by the visitors' centre-backs and tapped in a fierce free-kick driven in by Ronaldo on the left.

The second half continued in the same pattern as the first as Los Blancos were chasing for a third goal. Munua nearly made a howler in the 48th minute when he allowed a backpass to slip through his legs, but managed the clear the ball away just before a Madrid player could take advantage.

In the 53rd minute Sami Khedira pounced on a loose ball after a slick attacking move involving Benzema and Di Maria, but his finish from just inside the box lacked venom and was easily claimed by Gustavo.

The tempo slowly began to drop and soon the game was being played at a snail's pace as the hosts were clearly looking to see out the match. Los Granotes got their best chance in the game in the 68th minute, but Felipe Caicedo could not put the ball past Antonio Adan.

Los Blancos were totally in control of the contest as Levante were struggling to create anything of note. Substitute Emmanuel Adebayor had the ball in the net in the 92nd minute after a stunning run by Mesut Oezil, but it was ruled out after Ronaldo, who touched the ball onto the Togolese striker, was called offside and this proved to be the last action of this match.

Following tonight's result Real Madrid are second in the standings with 60 points, just two behind Barcelona who entertain Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening. Los Blancos' next league is a visit to the Riazor against Deportivo La Coruna in a week.