Reviving Benzema: Laurent Blanc Bringing the Best Out of Fellow Frenchman Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad
Having arrived at Al Ittihad as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, a lot was expected from Karim Benzema. Unfortunately, the 2023-24 season was nothing to write home about based on his usual standards. A change in manager and some luck with his fitness has seen the former Real Madrid flourish in his first six appearances in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season.
Last season, Marcelo Gallardo and his star player, Karim Benzema, were at odds. The conflict led to the forward being sidelined, and even when he was integrated back into the squad, the tension never went away.
Additionally, Benzema had some bad luck with injuries. In December, he missed three matches due to a back injury. After some extended time in the squad, a muscle injury saw him sit out seven games. In total, Benzema played 21 matches and only managed nine goals.
After an underwhelming 2023-24 season where Al Ittihad failed to put up a fight to defend their league title, a change in management saw Marcelo Gallardo binned with Laurent Blanc taking his place. Blanc and Benzema, both French, have a prior relationship dating back to Blanc’s time as the France national team coach.
The rapport seems to be working wonders for both parties. After six league appearances this season, Benzema is now two goals away from matching his goal tally from last season having scored seven goals. Al Ittihad sit in second place having only lost once (a 3-1 loss against league leaders Al Hilal, where Karim Benzema scored the consolation goal).
Al Ittihad failed to qualify for any continental competition this season, so Benzema and his teammates are enjoying added rest each week. The hope is that Benzema can keep scoring as Blanc figures out how to continue to get the best out of him.
