This will perhaps bring back bad memories at the “Nueve”. Star recruit for Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023, Karim Benzema was poorly received in his Jeddah team, notably by coach Nuno Espirito Santo, and suffered some minor injuries. With the failed start to the season of the reigning champions at the time, supporters cried foul, notably pointing the finger at the performance of the 2022 Ballon d’Or recruited by their leaders for tens of millions of dollars in salary per year (maybe 100).
“KB9” is injured again, but Al-Ittihad is doing much better with Laurent Blanc at its head. The 36-year-old striker is still four weeks away. Since October 24, the Lyonnais has missed three matches before the international window and, although he has resumed individual training, is already out of Al-Ittihad’s next meeting against the red lantern, Al-Fateh, Sunday (6 p.m.).
Benzema accompanied by Diaby and Aouar
Al-Ittihad is runner-up to Al-Hilal with one point less and cannot miss out in the coming weeks. Benzema still has a few days to prepare for his return to competition next week, against Al-Ettifaq, the team coached by Steven Gerrard, with Georginio Wijnaldum and Seko Fofana in the middle and an attacking duo Karl Toko Ekambi-Moussa Dembélé!
Benzema has eight goals and an assist in eight league matches this season and his talent could take the team of “President” Laurent Blanc to the coronation at the expense of the all-powerful Al-Hilal (by far, the best team in ‘Saudi Arabia). N’Golo Kanté and Fabinho are still present in the captains, while Houssem Aouar (5 goals and 2 assists) and Moussa Diaby (one goal and 10 assists) make big differences.
