MADRID: Karim Benzema picked up from where he left off last season, playing a decisive role for Real Madrid once again.

The veteran French striker got Real off to a flier in La Liga on Saturday, his double laying the foundation for a 4-1 victory at Alaves to leave Carlo Ancelotti celebrating the start of his second spell in charge with a victory.

“Benzema is more than just a striker, he is a very complete player,” said Ancelotti. “He is a much more complete player than when I coached him a few years ago.”

Eternal rivals Barcelona may have lost Lionel Messi but Real themselves are in a period of transition having seen Zinedine Zidane step down as coach and central defensive lynchpins Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane head for Messi’s PSG and Manchester United respectively.

Even with their big names still on board both of Spain’s biggest clubs were unable to prevent Atletico Madrid walking off with the title last season.

Real also got a goal from Nacho Fernandez, one of the defenders stepping in to replace Ramos and Varane.

“This has just started, there’s still a long way to go, but it was important to begin with a victory like this,” Nacho said.

Benzema, the team’s top player and scoring leader last season under Zinedine Zidane, put Real ahead with a shot from inside the area after a clever backheel touch by Eden Hazard in the 48th minute. The France striker added his second from close range in the 62nd, six minutes after Nacho had found the net following a cross from Luka Modric.

Alaves pulled one back with a penalty kick converted by Joselu Mato in the 65th, and substitute Vincius Junior completed the scoring with a header two minutes into stoppage time.

“In the first half we lacked intensity but Karim’s first goal opened up the game. I want to play with intensity with or without the ball” said Ancelotti.

The result kept Madrid unbeaten in league openers since 2008. They went without a title last season before Zidane quit and Ancelotti was re-hired. The Italian coach had won four titles with Madrid in his first stint with the club from 2013-15.

About 4,000 fans were at the Mendizorroza Stadium as Spanish health authorities allowed the league to restart with crowds of up to 40% of the venues capacity.

In other action on Saturday, Alfonso Espino scored seven minutes into second-half stoppage time to salvage Cadiz a 1-1 draw against Levante. The visitors had gone ahead with a goal from Jose Luis Morales in the 39th.

Promoted Mallorca took the lead against Real Betis with Brian Olivan scoring in the 25th but Juanmi Jiminez equalised for the visitors in the 59th.

Espanyol, who like Mallorca returned to the top flight after a one-year absence, drew 0-0 at Osasuna.

Valencia got the ball rolling on Friday and pocketed three points after an early Carlos Soler penalty was enough to see them overcome Getafe 1-0.

Published in Dawn, August 16h, 2021