Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois’s duo are a specific formula for Real Madrid’s winning ways

The 34-year-old striker is enjoying the best period of his long career at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, joining the club in 2009.

Benzema is shining in the limelight

Real Madrid’s No.10 is Luka Modric, but the team have a specific formula that was responsible for their success at Stamford Bridge and has been the source of much of their success so far this season. That formula combines the two most decisive players in the team: the No.9, Karim Benzema, and the No.1, Thibaut Courtois. The 34-year-old striker is enjoying the best period of his long career at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, joining the club in 2009. Having been the provider for Cristiano Ronaldo for much of his time at the club, Benzema is shining in the limelight and putting in the types of performances in Europe that Ronaldo so often did during his time in the Spanish capital.

Courtois pulled of two magnificent saves from Azpilicueta and James

With two hat-tricks in his two previous matches in Europe, he is currently above Ronaldo and other great goalscorers like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi. Only Robert Lewandowski has matched the standards that Benzema has set so far this season, and the two look set to battle it out for this year’s Ballon d’Or. As for Courtois, his saves carry the same value for Real Madrid as Benzema’s prolific output in front of goal. This was seen in west London on Wednesday night, as he pulled off two magnificent saves from Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James that could have altered the complexion of the tie significantly. In difficult moments, the Belgian also transmits security to the rest of his team, given his ability to deal with aerial balls and how natural he is with the ball at his feet.

The Los Blancos will be looking to secure La Liga and the UCL trophies

Courtois has kept 17 clean sheets so far this season; he has made 127 saves, he has a 78 per cent shot-stopping success rate, and he is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in world football today. This particular formula is well known in football, and one of the best examples of it was seen recently at Real Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas. The formula was responsible for many Los Blancos victories, particularly in the years leading up to La Decima, which was a turning point in the club’s recent history. Last season, Atletico Madrid won the LaLiga title thanks to the combination of Jan Oblak in goal and Luis Suarez up front. At Barcelona, Victor Valdes’ work was followed by that of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in keeping the back door shut.

This allowed Lionel Messi to torture opposition defences and led the Blaugrana to several LaLiga Santander titles and Champions League trophies. Real Madrid will be looking to secure both of these trophies this season and are well placed to do so, as they have this famous formula.