Karim Benzema is Back to His Best In Time to Turn Al-Ittihad’s Form Around in the Saudi Pro League
Karim Benzema was back to his lethal best, leading the line with dynamism, unpredictable movement, and clinical finishing to secure a hat-trick at home to Abha, helping his side to win 4-2 and return to winning ways. The performance demonstrated why the Ballon d’Or holder was prized away from Real Madrid in the summer.
The fine performance came in the back of a week where Nuno Espirito Santo, the former Al-Ittihad manager, was sacked. Reports indicate that Benzema was a major part of the reasons why the Portuguese tactician was relieved of his duties at the Saudi Pro League club.
Having come under criticism from the fans and the media for his form at Al-Ittihad, the reports of a rift with the manager meant that the former Real Madrid striker was making the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Espirito Santo was fired after their defeat in the AFC Champions League to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya from Iraq. Three days later, Benzema looked to be a man on a mission. He recaptured many of the best attributes that have characterized his famed career.
Al-Ittihad will hope that this turn in form is permanent as they look to turn around their season, which has been underwhelming so far, and revive a title challenge in the second half of the season.
