Zinedine Zidane has advised Karim Benzema not to over-think his goal-drought, as he admits that more expected of the Real Madrid man on international duty.
Benzema has not scored for Les Bleus in competitive action since September 2011 and not netted in a friendly for over a year, whilst he is in the current international break on a drop in form with Madrid.
“Currently he is not scoring, which is what everyone wants from him, so he cannot be well,” Zidane considered to L’Equipe this week.
“He is a person who works hard in training, who is focused and serious. What I tell him is to not think too much about it.
“The day he scores a goal or two, everything will change, especially with the French national team.
“In Madrid it is another case because they play differently.
“With France he is the best player alongside Ribery, so we ask for more from him. He must score, he must be present everywhere and he is judged even in his statements.”
Zidane is working this season with Benzema as assistant Coach at Real Madrid, a new role for him at the club after previously acting as sporting director.
“It’s completely different than with Jose Mourinho, then I was director of the team and was not on the field or participating in what was going on, nor was I in any meetings with him or the team, or involved in tactics.
“Now, instead, I have a real role, I can talk to Ancelotti on how I see things, exchange views on the players and what is possible.”
