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Real Madrid: Benzema too often looks like he's on a Sunday stroll

Update:

Danilo's own goal means the chief finger of blame will be pointed at him following Real Madrid's elimination from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Celta Vigo.

Danilo left everything out there, at least; Benzema didn't

But the Brazilian at least summoned the pride and the bollocks to fight tooth and nail right until the very last in Wednesday night's second leg at Balaídos.

The same cannot be said, for example, of Karim Benzema.

Benzema reacts during Wednesday's Copa del Rey second leg at Balaídos.
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Benzema reacts during Wednesday's Copa del Rey second leg at Balaídos.Octavio PassosGetty Images

Benzema just isn't justifying Zidane's support

The unconditional backing Benzema enjoys from head coach Zinedine Zidane is really beginning to grate, because watching the striker amble aimlessy about the pitch for 90 minutes is starting to become routine.

Seeing his team-mates, Cristiano Ronaldo included, work themselves into the ground to try to turn the Celta tie around while Benzema barely breaks out of a trot - that's something that really angers the Madrid supporters.

They feel that the 29-year-old shouldn't simply be a default starter.

Zidane's fair approach has really won over the dressing room, but he's sending the wrong message to his players when it comes to his countryman.

Morata looks like he's losing heart.
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Morata looks like he's losing heart.Javier BarbanchoReuters

Fellow number nine Morata losing faith

Álvaro Morata, who began the season in great nick, now gives the impression that he's losing heart, having realised it's just not a level playing field.

The Real fans can deal with exiting the Copa if the team go down fighting; what they can't stomach is seeing a centre-forward with the same demeanour in defeat as in victory - as was the case in Vigo...