Al-Ittihad coach, Marcelo Gallardo has decided to do without the services of Karim Benzema to compete in the round of 16 of the Asian Champions League.
After skipping the resumption of Al-Ittihad training at the beginning of January and being sidelined, Karim Benzema was reinstated in the squad led by Marcelo Gallardo. However, the latter made a strong choice by deciding not to call up the French striker to play in the round of 16 first leg of the Asian Champions League (AFC) against the Uzbek club Navbahor Namangan, this Thursday (5 p.m.), reports daily life AS.
It must be said that Marcelo Gallardo only has the right to call up five non-Asian players per match, as stipulated in the AFC regulations. The Argentine technician thus opted for Ahmed Hegazy, N’Golo Kanté, Fabinho, Romarinho and Abderrazak Hamdallah.
A punishment for KB9?
The Madrid media specifies that the absence of the 2022 Ballon d’Or in this list is not a sanction, but that it is due to the lack of rhythm of the 36-year-old striker, who did not participate in the mid-season training course organized by his club in Dubai.
As a reminder, Karim Benzema agitated the transfer window during the month of January. Taken to task by Al-Ittihad supporters, who criticize him for his lack of investment, the “Nueve” had touches to return to play in Europe this winter. But it didn’t go any further, his management having completely rejected the possibility of seeing him leave.
