Madrid (AFP)

Karim Benzema returns to the top after an injury, Luis Muriel has gone from substitute to essential in Bergamo: between Real Madrid, winner 1-0 in the first leg, and Atalanta, the center-forward game promises to be crucial on Tuesday in the eighth return of the Champions League (9:00 p.m.).

- Two jewels this weekend -

In Madrid, Benzema seems to be back in great shape.

After treating a left adductor injury that caused him to miss three matches in February, the former Lyonnais remains Real Madrid's No. 1 attacking asset.

"Benzema wants La Liga," headlined Une Marca, Spain's top-selling daily, on Sunday.

After his splendid goal in the derby against Atlético Madrid in early March (1-1), Benzema followed up with an "alien" double according to Marca on Saturday against Elche in La Liga, from the head then from the left, to snatch the victory (2-1).

Luis Muriel is also in full confidence, much more often holder after having been confined for a long time to the role of luxury joker.

With his new gem on Friday against La Spezia (3-1), the Colombian international scored his 19th goal of the season (in all competitions), already doing as well as all last season.

"I will soon be 30 years old (in April, Editor's note), I have acquired a little maturity and that allows me to work better. Before, I wanted to have fun and that's it," he explains to about his progress.

- Complementary or essential?

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With his technique and speed, Muriel is a good complement to the powerful Duvan Zapata and the creator Josip Ilicic, as talented as he is inconsistent on the front of the Bergamask attack.

He has also become a valuable passer with nine offerings (all competitions combined), his record in a single season.

"Muriel is extraordinary, not just in goals and assists. He really made a big leap in terms of quality, both mentally, physically and in consistency," her coach recently praised. Gian Piero Gasperini.

Opposite, Benzema's double did not trigger praise from "Zizou" after the match ... because since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, Real have become accustomed to relying on "KB9".

"I have no savior costume. We are a team," Benzema swept at a press conference on Monday.

"Now I have the physique to play free. Sometimes I stay in front to wait for crosses, sometimes I go down to the middle of the field to help build the actions. It depends. But every time I go in it's for help the team, ”he said.

Benzema is by far Real's top scorer (20 goals and 5 assists in all competitions this season), and the top scorer behind him is Casemiro with ... 6 small goals.

Even without Eden Hazard, still forfeited on Tuesday, without support except for youngsters Rodrygo, Vinicius and Asensio, Benzema remains Zidane's comprehensive insurance: when Benzema is there, Real is better.

- The Champions League and them -

In the Champions League, which he played with Sevilla (2017-2018) without leaving any memorable traces, then with Atalanta (these last two seasons), Muriel remains a novice: 20 appearances, including eight as a holder, for 3 goals.

However, he scored this season the goal perhaps the most important of the European season of the "Dea", against Ajax (1-0) in December, synonymous with qualifying for the 8th.

In the first leg against Real, Muriel had an opportunity (41st), but had not managed to escape Raphaël Varane.

For Benzema, absent in the first leg in Italy (groin injury), his last European outing ended with decisive goals, with a double against Mönchengladbach to snatch qualification in 8th and first place in the group (2-0 ).

And the C1 remains the competition where Benzema shines the most.

He has won it 4 times since 2014 and has a total of 125 continental appearances.

And with the four goals added this season, "KB9" remains more than ever the top French scorer in the history of the Champions League (69 goals), just three lengths from the third step of the podium occupied by Robert Lewandowski.

© 2021 AFP