Karim Benzema He came back on his own. After a first season in Saudi Arabia during which the French striker did not completely acclimatize to the Saudi Professional League nor to the dynamics of the team that Marcelo Gallardo led at the time, now with Laurent Blanc On the bench, everything seems to have changed. The team plays a much more offensive and attractive game, which favors the style of football with which Benzema he feels more comfortable. During the last match, played this Sunday, Karim scored three goals.
Barely 120 seconds had passed since the crash in front of the Al-Wehda when the former striker the real Madrid He caught the ball near the left wing, drew a diagonal line and fired into the top corner. A superb goal from Karim that brought the score up Golden Ball in 2022 and that the Al-Ittihad dreams of being able to recover. The match went comfortably for Laurent Blanc’s team, who before the break had already ended the duel, which did not slow down the home team. Once again, Benzema, just after the whistle that started the second half, scored with a good cross shot with his right leg.
The haemorrhage of goals continued and even the conceded goal that masked the result did not dampen the morale of the club’s supporters. Al-Ittihadwho enjoyed the great match his team was playing. Those of Laurent Blanc They were not satisfied with scoring a “handball” and continued to look for the opponent’s goal until the 90th minute was reached. In the final stretch, two more goals arrived, the last of which was again the work of. Karim Benzema who thus signed his hat trick and a wonderful performance.
After the first three days of the Saudi Professional LeagueAl-Ittihad leads the standings with complete victories. 9 points who are tied with Al-Hilal, the big favorite to lift the trophy and current champion. The team coached by Jorge Jesus, also made up of stars of European football, is the rival to beat for everyone. Laurent Blanc Not only did he manage to start the season impeccably, but he completely changed the face of the team, in addition to recovering the best version of Karim Benzema.
Benzema’s difficult year
The landing of the former Madrid striker in Saudi Arabia It was not easy at all. Acclimatizing to a new country after 13 seasons In Madrid, an unfamiliar dressing room and a football very different from that played in Europe were difficult factors to overcome for the French striker. In addition, his relationship with Marcelo Gallardoat the head of the team last year, had too many cracks to the point that Benzema He failed to return from Christmas holidays on time, leading to him being sanctioned by the club.
Now everything seems to have changed thanks to the arrival of his compatriot Laurent BlancThe affinity, at least for the moment, between the coach and the striker is total and this is reflected on the playing field. Benzema has regained the lost confidence and all that remains is to try to maintain the level displayed so far over time so that the Al-Ittihad to be a clear candidate for the championship title.
