Al Ittihad’s Benzema ruled out of Sepahan clash with injury
Sports Desk
Al Ittihad is set to be without skipper Karim Benzema for up to 10 days after the striker suffered an injury during a Saudi Pro League game on Thursday, Riyadh-based newspaper Arriyadiyah reported.
The French talisman found the net from the spot on the half-hour mark but was replaced by Marwan Al-Sahafi eight minutes later in a 4-2 victory over Al Khaleej at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium.
The injury means the Frenchman will miss Tuesday’s AFC Champions League encounter with Iranian top-flight side Sepahan at home.
Al Ittihad sits atop the table in Group C with 12 points – two clear of Sepahan – before this week’s final round of group stage fixtures, and has already secured a place in the last-16 round.
Having joined from Real Madrid in the summer, Benzema – Ballon d’Or winner in 2021 – has bagged 10 goals in 16 appearances for Al Ittihad across all competitions this season, though he is yet to get off the mark in the Asian elite clubs’ competition.