Benzema and Inzaghi's crisis after El Clásico: Details of the dispute and the refusal to greet each other
The fiery "Clásico" match between the two Saudi football giants at the Kingdom Arena, in the 23rd round of the Roshan Professional League (Foundation Day Round), witnessed dramatic events that extended beyond the pitch. Following the 1-1 draw, a wave of anger erupted in the stands, with criticism directed at coach Inzaghi and French star Karim Benzema, sparking widespread controversy in sporting circles.
Details of the dispute in the dressing room
Informed sources revealed to Okaz newspaper what transpired behind closed doors, where Karim Benzema had a heated verbal exchange with coach Inzaghi during halftime. The disagreement centered on the tactical approach to the match, with Benzema demanding a change in tactics to exploit Al-Ittihad's numerical disadvantage, as they had been playing with ten men since the ninth minute. This tactical intervention by the French star caused a disturbance in the locker room, negatively impacting the team's cohesion and performance during the second half.
exciting match scenario
The match began at a fast and attacking pace, with Brazilian Malcom opening the scoring early in the fifth minute, giving his team a psychological and technical advantage. Al-Ittihad's troubles increased after defender Hassan Kadash was sent off in the ninth minute, forcing the team to play with a numerical disadvantage. Despite these adverse circumstances and the opponent's strong start, Al-Ittihad skillfully regained their composure, managing to equalize in the 53rd minute through their Algerian player, Houssem Aouar, thus snatching a valuable point at the heart of the Kingdom Arena.
Benzema's actions spark controversy
The crisis didn't end with the final whistle; it extended to the French star's behavior towards the fans and his teammates. Benzema refused to acknowledge the fans in attendance, who were hoping for a victory to solidify their lead, preferring to head straight to the locker room with Malcom and Theo. This action angered the rest of the players, who considered it an unjustified display of arrogance. Tensions escalated further when Benzema unfollowed Al-Ittihad players Houssem Aouar and Awad Al-Nashri on social media, a strange reaction following their impressive performances in the match.
The importance and impact of El Clásico
The Saudi Clasico matches hold exceptional importance, not only locally but also regionally and internationally, especially given the remarkable growth of Saudi sports and its attraction of the world's brightest stars. The "Foundation Day" round is a cherished national occasion that lends a special celebratory atmosphere to the matches, making any setbacks or internal crises a focus of global media attention, which follows the Roshan League with great interest. Such disagreements between stars and coaches can cast a shadow over the stability of teams competing for the title, highlighting that managing a star-studded locker room is just as crucial as the technical management on the field.
