SAUDI PRO LEAGUE
Has Karim Benzema rediscovered his goal scoring mojo?
The French striker was on target again for Al Ittihad opening the scoring in the SPL clash against Al Akhdoud on Thursday.
After a disappointing 2023-24 season that included the French striker being sidelined after tension with then Al Ittihad coach Marcelo Gallardo, it’s fair to say that it was a campaign that Karim Benzema will not look back on fondly.
After their 2022-23 title win, last season, the Jeddah Tigers failed to secure any silverware and ended up in fifth place in the Saudi Pro League table which was far cry from the hopes of club officials and fans alike with the lowly finish denying the club a place in either the AFC Champions League Elite or Two competitions.
In 21 Roshn Pro League 23-24 appearances, the Lyon born striker managed to bag nine goals and failed to match expectations heaped upon his shoulders following his high profile move from Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.
Fast forward to the 2024-25 season and after just six league games, Benzema is playing with a new zest under new coach Laurent Blanc and most importantly has rediscovered his goalscoring touch.
Seven goals from Benzema
After just half a dozen league games, Al Ittihad sit in second place in the Saudi League behind all dominant Al Hilal on 15 points from five wins and one draw (the defeat coming at the hands of the Riyadh Blue Waves).
The positive news for Tigers’ fans is that the French striker has netted seven times in these six games with the first coming in the season opener against Al Taawoun as part of a 2-1 win.
Benzema's Saudi Pro League goals 24-25
August 29: vs Al Taawoun (W) 2-1 (Benzema x 1)
September 15: vs Al Wedah (W) 7-1 (Benzema x 3)
September 21: vs Al Hilal (L) 3-1 (Benzema x 1)
September 27: vs Al Khaleej (W) 4-1 (Benzema x 1)
October 3: vs Al Akhdoud (W) 2-1 (Benzema x 1)
With no conintenal distraction this season, Laurent Blanc’s men will have much needed added rest with Benzema clearly appearing more contented with his surroundings after a difficult debut season in Jeddah.
Al Ittihad now face Al Qadsiah and Al Riyadh in the SPL before closing off the month of October with the Jeddah derby as they face big city rivals Al Ahli.