Benzema will be absent from Al Hilal's squad against Shabab Al Ahli in the Asian Champions League
Asian football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Monday, as Al Hilal travels to Al Rashid Stadium in Dubai to face Shabab Al Ahli in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. In a blow to Al Hilal supporters, it has been confirmed that star striker Karim Benzema will miss the highly anticipated match, which kicks off at 7:00 PM.
The reason for Benzema's absence from the Dubai match
The main reason behind the veteran French striker's absence is the Asian Football Confederation's regulations and the current tournament format. These rules prevent Benzema from playing for Al-Hilal in the remaining group stage matches, given his previous participation in the same edition with his former club, Al-Ittihad. Consequently, Benzema's Asian debut for Al-Hilal will be postponed until the Round of 16 matches of the continental tournament, presenting the coaching staff with the challenge of finding alternative attacking options.
Inzaghi's preparations and available substitutes
On the technical front, coach Inzaghi to compensate for this significant absence by relying on the available players in the squad. Reports indicate that Simon Bouabre and Mohamed Kader Meite will be among the starting options for the matches against Shabab Al-Ahli and Al-Wahda of the UAE in the final round of the group stage. Inzaghi will finalize his tactical plans today with a key training session, during which he will focus on implementing the appropriate tactical approach and selecting the starting lineup capable of securing the three points.
Al-Hilal's dominance and the importance of the match
Al-Hilal enters this match in a very comfortable position, sitting atop the West Zone group with a perfect record of 18 points from six consecutive victories. Despite already securing qualification, the match carries special significance from a psychological standpoint, as the team looks to continue its historic winning streak and reaffirm its continental dominance. The game also serves as a crucial test of the team's readiness, particularly given the absence of one of its key players, and provides a valuable opportunity to compete against a home team in front of its fans.
Continental context and the influence of the Asian elite
This match is part of the newly revamped AFC Champions League, which features fierce competition among the strongest clubs in Asia. Al-Hilal aims to further extend its record number of continental titles, leveraging its star-studded squad. Maintaining its top position is a strategic objective for coach Inzaghi, ensuring a relatively easier path in the upcoming knockout stages, while awaiting Benzema's return to bolster the team's ranks in the crucial phases.
