Benzema-inspired Al Ittihad move to within one win of RSL title | OneFootball

Al Ittihad sit one win from clinching the Roshn Saudi League after a comfortable 3-0 victory against Al Fayha on Sunday night.

The RSL leaders, seeking a second top-flight title in three seasons, could even be crowned champions on Monday, should second-placed Al Hilal lose to Al Orobah.

As Matchweek 31 draws to a close, Al Ittihad boast a nine-point advantage at the summit. If Al Hilal, the current RSL title-holders, reduce the gap again to six points, then Laurent Blanc’s side can seal the title at Al Raed on Thursday.

Speaking after the Karim Benzema-inspired victory against Al Fayha in Jeddah, manager Blanc revealed Al Ittihad had taken huge confidence from last week’s last-gasp, come-from-behind triumph at Al Nassr.

“The performance against Al Nassr was very good for the players and they took a lot of power [from it],” the Frenchman said. “After this victory, the squad, the team, every player, said we can do this, we can win. It gave a lot of power, morale, mentality.

“And then we made good preparation for these games ahead. Because I said, ‘Come on, guys, we can do something special. Everyone. Because we have a fantastic challenge’.”

Sunday’s win came courtesy of two goals from Benzema, lifting the Al Ittihad captain to 21 league goals for the season. With three full rounds remaining after Monday’s fixtures, the 2022 Ballon d'Or is second in the 2024-25 scoring charts, with 21 goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who will most likely feature for Al Nassr at Al Okhdood on Monday night, leads the race for the golden boot by two goals. The Portuguese superstar won last season’s top-scorer award in record-breaking style.

Meanwhile, Mario Mitaj returned to the Al Ittihad line-up against Al Fayha, and was delighted to have played a role in the team taking a significant step towards the top-flight trophy.

“It was a really good game,” the Albania full-back said. “I feel really good that I was able to help my team get a victory - one step closer.”

Asked about the opportunity to secure a league-and-cup double this season – Al Ittihad contest the King’s Cup final later this month against fellow RSL side Al Qadsiah – Mitaj added: “It’s important now to secure the league.

"We’ll give everything and after we can focus on the King’s Cup.”