The absence of French striker Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad's upcoming match against Al-Hilal, scheduled for tomorrow Tuesday in the second leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, has been confirmed. The former Real Madrid star has missed the last three matches for Al-Ittihad, including two in the Saudi League against Al-Hilal and Al-Akhidood, and he was also absent during the continental classic against Al-Hilal, which ended in a 2-0 victory for the "Leader."
Marcelo Gallardo, the Argentine coach of Al-Ittihad, confirmed in a press conference that "Benzema is suffering from muscle pain and did not train with the team," thus confirming his absence.
Looking at the statistics of the French star, who joined Al-Ittihad at the beginning of this season, against major clubs in Saudi Arabia, it is evident that he has not performed to the expected level.
### Benzema's Statistics Against Big Teams
Benzema has only played four matches against the top teams, facing each of Al-Ahli, Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nasr, where he scored one goal and provided one assist.
His scoring started with a goal during his team's 3-4 loss to Al-Hilal in the fifth round of the Saudi Pro League. In the ninth round, he neither scored nor assisted in the defeat against Al-Ahli in the Jeddah derby, with a score of 0-1. He also failed to contribute during the 0-1 defeat to Al-Shabab in the 12th week of the competition.
He provided an assist during his team's humiliating loss against Al-Nasr, 2-5, in the 17th round of the competition. He then missed the match against Al-Hilal, where "the Tigers" lost 1-3 in week 22 earlier this month. Additionally, he was absent from the recent match where his team lost to Al-Hilal again, 0-2, in the first leg of the AFC Champions League, resulting in a poor record against the top teams in his first season with "the Tigers."
