Karim Benzema's Brilliant Explanation On Why He Did Panenka Penalty Proves He's The Coolest Man In Football
Karim Benzema has explained why he did the 'cold blooded' Panenka penalty against Manchester City.
The Real Madrid superstar confidently converted his penalty to make it 4-3 at the Etihad on Tuesday.
He dinked the ball down the middle of the goal, fooling Ederson who watched on as he laid on the ground.
"Yeah, I didn't have that. I didn't have that in training!" 🫢
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2022
"I grabbed Joleon. I said 'Oh my god, how dare he!'" 😂@JoleonLescott and @rioferdy5 on THAT Benzema penalty!
The centre-back union can only sit back and admire...#UCL pic.twitter.com/m9BIcVbwno
Benzema successfully putting his penalty away comes after he missed TWO penalties in his side's last match against Osasuna.
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Speaking after the game, the 34-year-old explained his thought process behind his outrageous penalty.
"All the goalkeepers have studied my penalties and I had to change," he said. "The penalty by me was cold blooded."
Karim Benzema; the coolest man in football 🥶#UCL pic.twitter.com/2SwoPyh1Kr
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2022
Carlo Ancelotti praised the forward's mental strength to perfectly execute his Panenka against Man City.
"I think he changed because the last two penalties were not good," he told reporters. "He changed and tried in training. I did not know how he would shoot. He choose this and it goes really well.
"Strong personality and character. It is not easy in the semi-final of the Champions League to do a penalty like this."
Former Real man Steve McManaman hailed Benzema's Panenka considering the pressurised moment and what was at stake.
"He missed two in his last game against Osasuna, the goalkeeper saved them," he said.
"He probably thought Ederson studied where he puts the ball. He takes a lot of penalties. He's missed four already this season. Instead of going left or right, he's probably thinking 'you know what, now is the time.'
"They're not four nil up, they were four two down when he's doing that. If he misses that, it's game over.
"Regardless of his record this year, he would be criticised to the hilt for taking the penalty if he's missed."
Benzema has now scored 14 goals in this season's Champions League.
He'll be looking to stretch his lead at the top of this campaign's scoring charts when Real host Man City next Wednesday.
Topics: Karim Benzema, Football, Real Madrid, Manchester City
Nasir Jabbar