Laurent Blanc Prioritizes Recovery of Al-Ittihad Stars
Laurent Blanc highlights the need for injured players' recovery, including Moussa Diaby, as Al-Ittihad navigates a challenging season.
Laurent Blanc, head coach of Al-Ittihad, has reaffirmed his commitment to the team’s success by prioritizing the recovery of key injured players, notably Moussa Diaby. Addressing reporters, Blanc shared, "As a coach, my dream is to bring back the injured players. This is far more critical than speculating about transfers." He emphasized that transfer discussions are handled by the club’s sporting director, allowing him to focus entirely on team performance.
On the topic of Moussa Diaby, Blanc elaborated, "Diaby’s injury, located in the ankle, became worse after he rejoined training prematurely. The incident during training with Fabinho aggravated the issue, requiring additional medical attention. What initially seemed minor turned out to need sensitive care, and now his rehabilitation demands more time to ensure a full recovery."
Blanc also addressed team selection and performance. "Each match requires the most prepared lineup. Al-Ittihad boasts many talented players, but the selection is determined by consistency and dedication during training sessions. Performance on the field starts with discipline on the practice ground," Blanc explained.
Turning to penalties, the coach noted significant changes compared to the previous season. "Last year, we achieved a perfect penalty conversion rate—13 successful attempts out of 13. This season, the scenario is different. Out of 4 penalties awarded, only 2 were converted, and Karim Benzema has missed 6 of 8 attempts since joining the team," Blanc revealed.
Blanc defended the team’s resilience despite setbacks, highlighting their penalty success against Al-Hilal. "Progressing past Al-Hilal through penalty kicks shows that this team knows how to deliver under pressure. However, improving consistency in critical moments remains a priority," he concluded.
Blanc’s remarks underline a strategic focus on player recovery and a push for disciplined performance, reflecting his leadership in guiding Al-Ittihad through a challenging season.
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