Strikers live on goals. Benzema and Lewandowski are two lethal attackers in front of goal. Both have become benchmarks in their position and are undoubtedly the stars of this edition of LaLiga.
Although goals are their raison d'être, both the Frenchman and the Pole have a negative point that affects their respective teams: both are struggling to score. Karim Benzema has not scored since 14 February in La Liga when Real Madrid hosted Elche - two goals from the penalty spot. Lewandowski has been a stranger to celebrations since 19 February when Barcelona played Cádiz - he scored the second in the win.
One is technical, with an impeccable ability to handle the ball in tight spaces. The other, a net striker: some call him the best "positional nine" in Europe. Benzema is elegance, class and definition. Lewandowski is effectiveness, physical power and skill in the air.
Two styles, two strikers and a Clasico. Barcelona-Real Madrid on Sunday 19 March offers a vibrant duel between the strikers. Benzema arrives with a lower goal tally compared to last year's figures but is still synonymous with danger: he has 19 goals and five assists in 29 games played. While Lewandowski is on what could be called a negative run, his figures are enviable: 25 goals and six assists in 32 games.
Dependence on their strikers
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona depend on the quality of their strikers. Without Benzema, Los Merengues lose out on generating play. The Frenchman is fundamental in the distribution of the ball. He plays as a false nine and is also effective in front of goal. Lewandowski arrived at the Camp Nou with a single objective: to return Barça to the top of LaLiga. So far, his premise has been fulfilled, but when he is absent, Xavi suffers.
Barça won 12 games with a 1-0 scoreline in 2022-2023. The last three matches, for example, ended on that aggregate. Against Valencia and against Athletic, Raphinha solved the absence of Lewandowski - he was injured. Against Real, in the first leg of the Copa semi-finals, a Militao own goal gave the coaching staff a helping hand.
If at Barcelona it rains when Lewandowski is not at his best, at Real Madrid it doesn't rain when Benzema is out. The Frenchman has visited the Merengues' infirmary seven times during the 2022-2023 season. Since September, he has relapsed with various physical problems that have forced him to miss 13 games.
Ancelotti initially dealt with Benzema's absence by using Rodrygo as a false nine. The Brazilian scored in the Madrid derby against Atlético in the first leg. Without the Frenchman, however, the performance of the front line diminished.
The fight for the Pichichi is more alive than ever. This Sunday, Lewandowski and Benzema will be in a new battle with their sights set on winning all three. If Barça win, they will be 12 points behind Madrid. If Los Merengues win, they will cut the gap to six points.
Remember that you can follow all the information about El Clásico on Flashscore.es.
