After missing four matches in September due to a muscle injury, Karim Benzema went three games without scoring with Al-Ittihad. “KB9” even missed a winning penalty, in the 88th minute, last Friday against Al Fayha (1-1). The reigning Saudi Arabian champion falls further behind leader Al-Nassr, who is now five points ahead.
As a reminder, Al-Ittihad, also led by N'Golo Kanté, Houssem Aouar and Moussa Diaby, fired Laurent Blanc on September 28, opting for Sergio Conceiçao as new coach. The Jeddah club continues with its third Asian Champions League match against the Iraqis of Al-Shorta, in the wake of two draws against Al-Wahda (2-1) and Al-Ahli Dubai (0-1).
New glitch for Benzema
However, Karim Benzema is on the list of injured Al-Ittihad players on the eve of the match, this Tuesday (6 p.m., live for free on the YouTube channel of the AFC, the Asian confederation). The 2022 Ballon d'Or is left with a contusion to his right leg and follows “an intensive rehabilitation program”. A new physical problem for the 37-year-old…
Benzema did not train on the eve of the match against Al-Shorta and does not need to force himself to play this third match of the first phase of the Asian UCL as the clash against the juggernaut of Saudi football, Al-Hilal, looms on Friday in the league.
