Al Ittihad coach leaves Benzema out of the Champions League
The relationship between Al Ittihad and Karim Benzema is not at its best. Just after the Frenchman has rejoined his teammates, Marcelo Gallardo has decided to leave him out of the match against Navbahor Namagan in the AFC Champions League.
According to 'AS', the French striker has not travelled with his teammates to Uzbekistan for the all-important first leg of the Asian Champions League round of 16.
Gallardo has opted for centre-back Ahmed Hegazy, midfielders Fabinho and Kante and forwards Romarinho and Abderrazak Hamdallah.
The physical condition of the French player, after skipping the entire pre-season with Al Ittihad, may have prompted the coach's decision to leave him on the ground despite the importance of the match.
It is worth remembering that Benzema gave Al Ittihad a hard time and did not join the rest of his teammates in the team's pre-season after the break from the competition due to the Asian Cup.
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