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Barca Lewandowski resumes, as Benzema is absence for Real
With Barcelona rapidly hitting their stride after Robert Lewandowski’s prolific start in Spain, Real Madrid’s spotless early-season form will be put to the test in the absence of injured talisman Karim Benzema.
After a goalless draw on the opening weekend in La Liga, Barcelona have scored 16 times in four games — eight of which by Lewandowski, whose treble against Viktoria Plzen saw him become the first player to bag a Champions League hat-trick for three different clubs.
“I don’t know if he is the best striker in Europe but for us he’s the best,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said after Wednesday’s 5-1 win over the Czech champions.
“He makes the team better, he helps us play out, he presses and brings us loads of solutions in attack. He is a player with tremendous maturity. It’s an honour to have him.”
Saturday’s trip to bottom side Cadiz, who have lost all four games without scoring, should provide Lewandowski with ample opportunity to extend his rich vein of form.
“Robert is completely insatiable – about scoring and winning,” Xavi said of Lewandowski, who arrived from Bayern Munich at a cost of 45 million euros ($44.8 million) despite turning 34 last month.
“We never doubted Robert for the price or his age. Never. He’s a wonder, as a person, winner, team-mate.”
Real launched the defence of their Champions League title midweek with a 3-0 win at Celtic, but it came at a price with Benzema sustaining a thigh injury likely to rule him out until October.
Without the favourite to win next month’s Ballon d’Or, Vinicius Junior and Brazilian countryman Rodyrgo will shoulder more of the burden up front for Real, starting with Sunday’s visit of Real Mallorca.
Vinicius has scored in each of his past four matches, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his team-mates who have re-established Real as Europe’s most successful club over the past decade.
“Hopefully, at this club, I’m going to go down as a legend,” the 22-year-old who scored the winner in last season’s Champions League final said this week.
“I can stay here for a long time and go down in the record books like Karim Benzema, Tony Kroos and Luka Modric.”
Asked if he now considered himself among the world’s very best, Vinicius replied: “I will let the people decide that. I feel like I’m in a good place at the moment, but I’m keeping a calm head and my feet on the ground.”
Player to watch: Antoine Griezmann
The France forward has been reduced exclusively to the role of a substitute this season, coming off the bench in all five of Atletico’s matches, but could be rewarded for his late heroics against Porto when Celta Vigo visit on Saturday.
Griezmann headed a 101st-minute in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over the Portuguese — his third goal this term despite being limited by Atletico boss Diego Simeone to 138 minutes.
“You’ll have to ask the coach,” he responded when asked about his playing time. “I’m here to do my job. The only thing I can do is come on and try to make the difference. After that we’ll see.”
Key stats
0 – league goals conceded this season by Villarreal. They are the only club in Europe’s top five leagues to keep a clean sheet every match.
15 – matches without victory for Real Valladolid in the top flight before Monday’s 1-0 win over Almeria.
651 – days between Champions League goals for Eden Hazard, who netted Real’s third against Celtic after replacing Benzema. His previous goal in the competition was a penalty against Inter Milan on November 25, 2020.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Girona v Real Valladolid (1900)
Saturday
Rayo Vallecano v Valencia (1200), Espanyol v Sevilla (1415), Cadiz v Barcelona (1630), Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo (1900)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Real Mallorca (1200), Elche v Athletic Bilbao (1415), Getafe v Real Sociedad (1630), Real Betis v Villarreal (1900)
Monday
Almeria v Osasuna (1900)
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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