Big surprise at the Club World Cup: Marcel Koller’s team throws away Saudi stars

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This is not how Al-Ittihad had imagined the Club World Cup in its own country: the reigning Saudi champions were already eliminated in the quarter-finals. The team from Jeddah, which was also recently upgraded by millions on the transfer market, failed badly against the Egyptian club Al Ahly (estimated difference in market value according to Transfermarkt.de: 105 million euros to 35 million euros) with coach Marcel Koller.

Al-Ittihad with its stars such as N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Karim Benzema lost 3-1 against the Egyptian champions. The latter becomes a tragic figure in the disappointing defeat: Benzema misses the possible equalizer from the penalty spot just before half time.

Now the Brazilians are waiting

Although the Saudi representative controls the game for a long time, only the “Red Eagles” from Cairo are tough in front of goal. Ali Maaloul (21st), Hussein El Shahat (59th) and Eman Ashour (62nd) provide the provisional decision in the match. Benzema only scored the consolation goal for Al-Ittihad in injury time and after a red card against former Cologne player Anthony Modeste.

For Al-Ittihad, the Club World Cup, which was associated with great expectations, is already over. However, Marcel Koller’s team will face Brazilian Copa Libertadores winner Fluminense on Monday. (cat)

Source : Blick