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REAL MADRID

Morata: less game time than Benzema, more shots and goals

The Real Madrid youth product came off the bench to score at Alavés on Saturday, and is pressing his claim for a starting berth.

Update:
Morata sustituye a Benzema.
Diario AS

Legia Warsaw - Real Madrid

Álvaro Morata has enjoyed less game time than fellow Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema this season, but has taken more shots than the Frenchman - and scored more goals.

Fewer minutes, more goals

Benzema has featured more than the 24-year-old, despite missing the start of the campaign through injury, playing for 705 minutes and netting four times in all competitions.

Morata celebrates his fabulous finish at Alavés on Saturday.
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Morata celebrates his fabulous finish at Alavés on Saturday.ANDER GILLENEAAFP

Meanwhile, Morata has been involved in 669 minutes of first-team action this term, but has bagged three more goals than his centre-forward colleague, the latest coming against Alavés on Saturday.

Morata Real's leading marksman with CR7

Indeed, the ex-Juventus ace is the team's joint-top scorer alongside Cristiano Ronaldo - in addition to providing three assists - and is staking his claim for a place in Zinedine Zidane's line-up.

The Spaniard had deputised ably for Benzema in his early-season absence, but his displays could not prevent him from relinquishing his spot on the ex-Lyon man's return to fitness.

And since Benzema's comeback against Osasuna in LaLiga in September, Morata has started just twice: at Las Palmas in the league, and Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey.

Morata was Real's match-winner against Athletic Club a week ago.
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Morata was Real's match-winner against Athletic Club a week ago.ANDREA COMASREUTERS

But he has not thrown in the towel and has taken advantage of every opportunity the Madrid boss has given him, hitting four of his goals off the bench - with two (against Sporting Lisbon and Athletic Club) earning late victories.

More shots than Benzema

Morata's greater threat on goal is also evident in the pair's shooting stats: he has a total of 28 (16 of which on target), compared to Benzema's 26 and 14.