"I like the pressure, and there's a lot at Real Madrid"

Frenchman Karim Benzema spoke earlier about Real Madrid's form and the striker believes the team has turned the corner after a good start to the New Year: "We've started 2013 well, with two victories, which is important. The games have been tough but we've played well and come away with maximum points. That’s the important thing".

In an interview with website 'Bwin', Benzema also said: "I excel when there's a lot of pressure. I like it because it's part of a footballer's job and even more so at Real Madrid, where there's a lot of it".

At the weekend the Madrid centre-forward returns to the Osasuna stadium, where he scored one of his greatest goals for the club – a sweetly-struck volley from a Cristiano Ronaldo cross. "I would say that it's one of my best, although not one of the most important. I still remember that goal. It was a nice goal, against a difficult opponent which we went on to beat".

One of the Frenchman's greatest challenges left in his career is to succeed with the France national team. "Of course it is. It would be a dream to win the World Cup with France, but we have to qualify first. Then we will think about going to Brazil and trying to win", he concluded.