Sergio Conceiçao on Karim Benzema absence as Al-Ittihad draw 2-2, calls him an excellent professional

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·29 January 2026

Sergio Conceiçao on Karim Benzema absence as Al-Ittihad draw 2-2, calls him an excellent professional

Sergio Conceiçao declined to expand on Karim Benzema’s absence after Al-Ittihad drew 2-2 at Al-Fateh on Thursday. He said matters beyond coaching, preparation and results rest with the club.

According to L'Équipe, Benzema sat out after rejecting a Saudi Pro League contract extension proposal.

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Conceiçao said Benzema has scored 13 goals in 17 matches under him and described the forward as an excellent professional and a fantastic player he is proud to coach.

The coach also praised his team’s display on the night and noted that Saleh Al-Shehri produced a strong performance with two goals, adding that such form benefits the Saudi national team.

N’Golo Kanté, who is being monitored by Fenerbahçe, and Moussa Diaby, on Inter Milan’s radar, both featured. Al-Ittihad were pegged back at 90+9 and sit sixth in the Saudi Pro League.

Source: L'Équipe