Benzema ready to fight for spot

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is frustrated at the amount of time he has spent on the bench this season.

The 24-year-old has struggled for consistency so far, scoring only once in nine La Liga matches to slip behind Gonzalo Higuain in the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Benzema insists he will take his chance to impress when it comes, adding that coach Jose Mourinho is supportive of his contribution to the team.

“Sure I want to play more and I’ve spent more time on the bench than the pitch, but I’m going to fight to take advantage of the minutes they give me,” Benzema told L’Equipe.

“He (Mourinho) is always behind me and never lets me give up. Even when things are going well he is always telling me I’m doing OK, including when things go very well.

“He does this so we can all maintain a very high level.

“When I get playing time I try to do my best and score or give an assist, but I can never relax.”

Benzema has been criticised by the likes of Jean-Pierre Papin for his displays for France.

Although the former Lyon star admits his scoring record for France could be better, he tries to adapt his game for the good of the team.

“It’s true that I’ve scored less than I have with Madrid but I take part in much of the play and try to create space,” Benzema said.

“I’m not worried about it because I make some decisive passes. If they wanted me to I wouldn’t give any assists, play solely in the area and score more goals.

“I could do that but it would be detrimental to the team.”