While some rumors evoked a degraded relationship between Karim Benzema and his coach Nuno Espirito Santo, the latter delivered a clarification after the new victory of Al-Ittihad.
Three matches, three wins: Al-Ittihad started their season in the Saudi Pro League perfectly. Thursday, traveling on the lawn of Al Riyadh, the club of Karim Benzema quietly won (4-0), the tricolor striker taking advantage to open his counter in the Saudi championship. The Madrilenian also wore the captain’s armband, the subject of many rumors in recent days.
According to the Saudi press, a dispute would have indeed opposed the native of Lyon and his coach, Nuno Espirito Santo. The Portuguese technician would not be a big fan of the Frenchman’s profile and did not want to entrust him with the captaincy, favoring the Brazilian Romarinho. Rumors denied by the former coach of FC Porto. “I read in the press that my relationship with Karim Benzema was not good, everyone who knows me knows that, of course it’s absurd”he confided.
“My relationship with all the players is good, we have a strong group, we are happy with all the players, we are happy that Karim is here with us, added Nuno Espirito Santo. He’s happy on the pitch, you can see he loves playing for Al-Ittihad. I understand what’s going on…but we’re a strong group, a very, very, very, very strong group.”
According to the Saudi press, the armband should finally rotate between the executive players according to their performance.
