La Liga: Karim Benzema aiming to get back into the groove against Getafe

Karim Benzema returned for Real Madrid after injury, only to find a new contender on his throne as the deadliest player in Spain, in the shape of Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski. The French forward, a front-runner for the Ballon d'Or after leading Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory last season, finished as the top flight's leading scorer with 27 goals. However, this season a thigh injury kept him out for nearly a month and Barcelona's marquee summer signing Lewandowski raced to the top of the goalscoring charts on nine goals, scoring in his last six league games.

Likewise, Barcelona moved top of La Liga for the first time since June 2020, demonstrating their intent to depose both Madrid and their talisman this season. Benzema returned against Osasuna on Sunday and it was the first time Madrid dropped points, in a frustrating 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu. He put in a sluggish performance, perhaps unsurprisingly given his lay-off, not showing the quality on the ball or clever movement he usually excels at.

To make matters worse, Benzema blew a penalty late on which could have won his team the game, the third consecutive spot-kick he has missed against Osasuna and their goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. Carlo Ancelotti brushed off the criticism aimed at the forward and gave Benzema another start against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday. Again the forward was underwhelming, failing to find the net, unlike his Brazilian wing-men Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.

"He was very good and has been decisive with his quality and positioning," said Ancelotti. "He played for his teammates and has been present in the area. He hasn't scored, but that's the last thing on our minds." Madrid, who have leaned heavily