Karim Benzema’s Stop-Start and Disrupted Season at Al-Ittihad So Far
Karim Benzema arrived in the Saudi Pro League last summer as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and joined an Al-Ittihad side that was still celebrating winning the Saudi Pro League title last season.
The expectations were that Benzema could take Al-Ittihad to the next level, giving them the firepower they needed to defend their title and make a challenge for the AFC Champions League. Things have not gone according to plan.
Al-Ittihad is languishing in 7th place in the Saudi Pro League table, trailing leaders Al-Hilal by a jaw-dropping 25 points. Not only are they unable to challenge for the title, they are at risk of failing to make it into next season’s AFC Champions League.
Benzema’s side is closer to the bottom three clubs on the Saudi Pro League table than it is to the top three sides.
Benzema’s season has also been punctuated by reports of a falling out with former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who has since managed Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Even after the firing of Santo, the new man, Marcelo Gallardo, has not fared any better, with Al-Ittihad’s form suffering as they lost three consecutive matches heading into the embarrassing 5-3 hammering at home at the hands of Al-Nassr.
Karim Benzema will hope that his form, fitness, and his side’s consistency can recover in the second half of the season.
