Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that Karim Benzema has "found his best condition" at a vital stage of the campaign.
The 35-year-old has struggled with a number of fitness problems during the 2022-23 season, but he has been in stunning form in his side's last two matches, scoring back-to-back hat-tricks against Real Valladolid and Barcelona.
Benzema's treble against Real Valladolid helped his side record a 6-0 win in La Liga last weekend, and the Frenchman then scored three times in Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg with Barcelona at Camp Nou, as Los Blancos advanced to the final of the competition.
The forward has now netted 25 goals and registered six assists in 31 appearances for Real Madrid this season, and Ancelotti has said that Benzema's 'work during the international break' has allowed him to be refreshed heading towards the end of the campaign.
"The work during the break has certainly helped him. He's found his best condition and with the quality he has, he makes a difference for sure. He's still one of the best players in the world at the moment and when he's in good shape he makes a difference," the Italian told reporters after the win over Barcelona.
Ancelotti also hailed his team for their "complete performance" in El Clasico.
"It was a complete performance, otherwise we wouldn't have won 4-0 here. In the first half, we struggled to get the ball out, but the first goal changed the pattern of play and in the second half we caused a lot of damage with our transitions because we found more openings," he said.
"What I'm most proud of is that the boiler has warmed up again and when we're warm, we do a pretty good job. Our approach was the same as in the last two Clasicos.
"The only thing I did was add more depth to the game with Rodrygo. The minor details decided the game. The amazing detail of the first goal, which was fantastic, defined the second half.
"This wasn't about vindication. What do I have to feel vindicated about? Nothing at all. I'm happy because I'm lucky enough to be coaching a great team at a great club.
"We celebrated qualification in the dressing room because it was a big challenge to come from behind and make the final. I'll celebrate on the pitch if we win the Copa."
Real Madrid will face Osasuna in the final of the Copa del Rey, while they are also still chasing success in the Champions League, preparing to face Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Ancelotti's side are next in action on Saturday in La Liga, though, with Villarreal heading to Bernabeu. body check tags ::
