Benzema explodes in the month of Ramadan

The two-week break to focus on the national teams helped Benzema regain his fitness and form after the convalescence period. He played explosively with a hat-trick in just six minutes and 30 seconds against Valladolid on April 2. The Real striker then scored a hat-trick against Barca in the semi-final second leg of the King's Cup. In this match, he also added an assist.

Days of hard work with fitness coach Antonio Pintus helped Benzema overcome the fasting month of Ramadan. The French striker only eats after sunset and spends a lot of time reading prayers every day. "I'm used to it. Of course, fitness coaches help a lot to stay fit," Benzema said in an interview with Marca last week.

Benzema is aiming for the Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea. The 35-year-old has scored 13 goals in the last eight knockout matches. Benzema's victims are all formidable opponents, from PSG, Man City to Chelsea itself.

Benzema's hat-trick against Chelsea in the quarter-final first leg last season helped the Spanish representative create an advantage. Real then lost three goals in the second leg at the Bernabeu but managed to equalize one in the official 90 minutes. In extra time, Benzema's goal brought the Royal team into the semi-finals.

Meeting English teams is said to be a good omen for Benzema. He has scored 10 goals in the last four knockout rounds against the foggy opponents. According to Opta data, this is the longest streak of goals scored by a player against opponents from the same country. Benzema is the fourth-highest scorer in Champions League history with 89 goals, just two behind Robert Lewandowski.

Chelsea, already in crisis with 11th place in the Premier League and appointing a third manager in a year, have much to worry about when meeting Benzema again now.