Benzema: Real must go on winning run

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema claims his side must win every game from now till the end of the season in order to stand a chance at retaining the La Liga title.

Los Blancos have stuttered in the first half of this season's La Liga campaign; Jose Mourinho's men have only picked up a meagre 36 points from 18 games and they currently find themselves a massive 16 points behind current league leaders Barcelona.

However, last season's La Liga champions have shown signs of improvements since the start of the New Year, as Benzema and his team-mates romped to up crucial wins against Real Sociedad (4-3) in the La Liga and Celta Vigo (4-0) in the Copa del Rey.

With Real set to take on Osasuna in their next league fixture on Saturday, Benzema has called on his side to build on their recent positive results and embark on a winning run as they seek to retain the league title.

"We know that Osasuna is going to be a very difficult game, like last year, but Real Madrid always has to win," Benzema was quoted as saying by the official Real website.

"We have to win there and that's what we're going to do, because we want to add on points.

"I think we're doing well. We started out 2013 with two wins, and that's what's most important.

"We have played well, although the games have been difficult, but what's fundamental is that we have won, and we must continue winning."

Real comprehensively beat Los Rojillos 5-1 in last season's corresponding fixture, and Benzema, one of the goalscorers in that game, still fondly remembers his 'lovely' goal for Los Blancos.

"I would say that it is one of the nicest goals I've scored in my career," Benzema gushed.

"It wasn't the most important one, but I would especially emphasize that it was nice.
"It was a lovely goal, and also against a difficult rival and was part of the victory. I still remember that goal, it was lovely."

With Real underachieving this season, Benzema acknowledged that the players were feeling the pressure, but the French international claims that this is part and parcel of being a professional footballer and remains unperturbed by it.

"Pressure is part of a football player's job," Benzema added.

"Especially at Real Madrid, where there is a lot of pressure, and I do better under pressure.

"You've just got to keep working."

Osasuna is currently on a six-match win-less run, while Real have only won just one of their last five games in all compeitions.