The Portuguese coach of Al-Ittihad, Sergio Conceicao, put an end to the controversy surrounding the participation of French star Karim Benzema in the upcoming match against Al-Shabab, during the press conference held today, Thursday, to talk about the team’s preparations for this important match in the Saudi Roshan League.
Confirming readiness and responding to skeptics
In confident remarks, Conceição confirmed that team captain Karim Benzema will be fully fit for the match, praising the French star's significant role not only in scoring goals but also in implementing tactical ideas on the pitch. The Portuguese coach said, "Karim Benzema will be ready, and he's doing a great job on the field tactically, which is exactly what I want him to do.".
Conceição added, highlighting Benzema's impressive statistics under his management: "Karim has played eight matches under me, scoring 10 goals. He's a great player and delivers outstanding performances." The coach also addressed Benzema's age, downplaying its significance by saying: "Age is just a number to me. There are many examples of players who have played and excelled well into their 40s," clearly demonstrating his unwavering confidence in the former Ballon d'Or winner's abilities.
The importance of the match and the two teams' positions in the league
This match is of paramount importance to both teams given their current positions in the league standings. Al-Ittihad is scheduled to host Al-Shabab at 8:30 PM next Saturday, in a crucial encounter for the fans.
Al-Ittihad enters the match in seventh place in the Roshan League standings with 14 points, a position unbecoming of the club's history and its title aspirations, making a victory crucial for climbing into the top four. Meanwhile, Al-Shabab is struggling, currently sitting in thirteenth place with 8 points, and will be looking to turn things around against Al-Ittihad.
General context and Benzema's impact on the Saudi League
These statements come at a time when the world's attention is focused on the Saudi Professional League, which now boasts a stellar lineup of international football stars. Karim Benzema is a key pillar of the league's development project, representing immense technical and marketing value for Al-Ittihad and the competition as a whole. Matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Shabab are considered historic classics in Saudi football, always characterized by intense rivalry and thrilling fan engagement.
Benzema's return to full fitness is not only a morale boost for his teammates, but also a real threat to opposing defenses, given his extensive experience in European football and his ability to decide big matches from half-chances. Al-Ittihad fans expect their star player to lead the team through this difficult period and return to strong contention for the league title.
