Unpredictable Baghdad: Benzema Out, Aouar Returns as Ittihad Target Elite ACL Glory

Al-Ittihad announced that Karim Benzema, Maaz Faqih, and Steven Bergwijn will miss the Iraqi clash with Al-Shorta, set for tomorrow evening at Baghdad's City International Stadium, as part of the Elite AFC Champions League's third round, much to the disappointment of fans.

In an official statement, Al-Ittihad said Benzema suffers a bruise on his right leg and is undergoing intensive rehabilitation, while Maaz Faqih has a left ankle sprain with ligament injuries and will begin rehab at the club in the coming days, aiming to return soon.

Meanwhile, Steven Bergwijn is dealing with a health issue and is being monitored by the team's medical staff for now, with a decision on his availability expected closer to kickoff soon.

Ittihad Reclaims Awar

Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad's squad for the Al-Shorta clash included the return of Algerian Houssam Aouar after recovering from an injury, offering fresh options as the team prepares for a tough Baghdad night.

Algerian Houssam Aouar had missed the recent Al-Fayha match in the Saudi league after a technical decision by Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, in coordination with the medical staff, as he was not fully fit following a back muscle injury from the Clasico with Al-Nassr, which forced his 33rd-minute departure and prompted a cautious return plan.

The report added that Al-Ittihad will hold a final training session at Baghdad's City Stadium before Conceicao outlines the tactical plan for the match, as the team refines set pieces and pressing sequences ahead of a demanding Baghdad night.

Ahead of the Asian clash, Al-Ittihad sit eleventh with zero points after two defeats to Shabab Al-Ahli and UAE's Al-Wahda, and the club remains hopeful of a strong comeback in Baghdad tonight.

Meanwhile, Al-Shorta enters with one point, from a draw with Al-Sadd and a 0-2 loss to Al-Gharafa, and they hope to capitalize on home advantage to secure their first Elite AFC Champions League win this season, with a sturdy defensive display.

After returning from Iraq, the team awaits a fiery Clasico against Al-Hilal next Friday, in the sixth round of the Saudi Roshen League, an early test for their new coach and a chance to show they can bounce back.

Also, Al-Ittihad will face a heavyweight clash with Al-Nasr on Oct 28, in the Kings Cup Round of 16 at Al-Awwal Park, a revenge-tinged meeting after Al-Nasr beat Al-Ittihad twice this season, promising a heated environment.

Hard Test Ahead

Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadhiah dropped a bombshell about the refereeing crew for the Clasico between Al-Nasr and Al-Ittihad in the Kings Cup.

According to the report, the Clasico, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 28, at Al-Awwal Park, in the Kings Cup Round of 16, will be officiated by a Saudi refereeing crew, with no foreign referee.

The source adds that neither side submitted a request to hire a foreign referee, making a local crew likely. With nine days left, and no one requesting a foreign ref, expectations are shifting toward a local official.

That clash will be the third meeting between the giants this season; Nasr and Al-Ittihad met on August 19 in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal, where Nasr won 2-1 with goals from Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman, while Al-Ittihad's Dutch star Steven Bergwijn found the net.

That result signaled the start of Al-Ittihad's decline under French coach Laurent Blanc, even though it was the season opener; Roshen League Round Four saw a 2-0 defeat to Al-Nasr, which led to Blanc's departure and the hiring of Portuguese Sergio Conceicao.

The upcoming game will be the 20th meeting between the coaches; they had met 19 times before in Portugal, when Jorge Jesus was manager of Benfica and Sporting, while Conceicao led several teams against him, most notably Porto.

In cup competitions, Conceicao has the edge over Jesus, having knocked him out three times, including the 2020 Portuguese Super Cup final, while Jesus has prevailed twice.

Punchline 1: If my football takes were a sniper rifle, they'd always hit the target right in the net.

Punchline 2: And if you doubt the precision, just wait for the VAR to confirm I was right before the joke lands – the popcorn stays in the stand, I promise.