Benzema: We can beat Barcelona
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is adamant his side can topple European champions Barcelona during the coming season - and that he has never wanted to leave the Bernabeu.
Pep Guardiola's Barca have been hailed by many as the best team in the world following their Primera Division and Champions League successes, beating Madrid to the league title by four points and dumping their rivals out at the semi-final stage in Europe last term.
But France striker Benzema believes Jose Mourinho's squad have what it takes to redress the balance of power in Spanish football, especially with their Portuguese boss having had a season to settle in at the club.
When asked if Real feel they can beat Barca, Benzema told AS: "Sure we can, I have never doubted it.
"We are a great team, but we started last season with a new coach, with players and gradually had to fit everything together.
"Now we can continue with the same group and some reinforcements and I am convinced that we will be very competitive. We're going to make it very difficult for Barca, I can assure you.
"We will be very strong this year. The group is fantastic. Everyone gets along. We are very supportive and we have a very good coach. I am very optimistic about this new season."
Benzema initially struggled to nail down a place in Mourinho's starting line-up last term as Gonzalo Higuain led the line effectively, but injury to the Argentina star gave his colleague a chance he capitalised on in spectacular fashion, scoring 17 goals during the second half of the campaign.
And the 23-year-old never considered leaving Madrid in an effort to get more first-team football.
"I never thought about it even in the difficult times," he said.
"That is my strength and my philosophy. I realise that when one is lucky enough to be at such an important club as Real Madrid you should be prepared for suffering. It is part of the game.
"It's easy (to explain my good form). The coach gave me confidence and enabled me to string together several performances.
"Mourinho again put me in the side and that changed everything. I came to Madrid to score goals and provide a great spectacle of football. I want to please people. In Madrid I do what I did in Lyon, but better!"
The former Lyon forward also cites a meeting he had with Mourinho in January as being key to resurrecting his fortunes.
"I am not one who will normally go and see the coaches," he said. "But at that moment I felt the need. I asked what he thought of me and I told him what I thought.
"I calmed down. I noticed his interest and confidence. This meeting between the two of us was very important."
