Higuain-Benzema teamwork lifts Real

Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain praised Karim Benzema after the club’s 6-2 Champions League Group D home win over Dinamo Zagreb.

In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, both Higuain and Benzema featured from the start in what proved to be a fruitful experiment, as the duo netted three of Madrid’s six goals at Santiago Bernabeu.

“Benzema and I get along really well and we understand each other; it showed on the pitch,” Higuain told the club’s website.

“This was an important match and I’m happy with the score. It’s important that the team played such a good game despite the rotations.”

The Argentina international said he was delighted at being given the captain’s armband against Zagreb, and added that Real Madrid now have to turn their focus toward Saturday’s La Liga game against Atletico Madrid.

“I was delighted to be a captain tonight. I’ve been here many years and I feel the affection of the fans and of the club,” Higuain said.

“We must now remain calm, rest and prepare for the derby, which will logically be very special.”