In a commanding display of football, Al-Ittihad Club of Jeddah secured a resounding 7-0 victory over Qatari side Al-Gharafa on Tuesday evening. This triumph, occurring in the penultimate round of the Asian Champions League group stage, has unequivocally guaranteed the Saudi team’s progression to the knockout phases of the continental competition, irrespective of the final matchday’s outcomes.
The French forward Moussa Diaby, who played the full ninety minutes, contributed a single decisive assist in the rout. When later probed about the high-profile departure of his former strike partner, Karim Benzema, to rivals Al-Hilal on the final day of the recent winter transfer window, Diaby deliberately shifted the focus away from past narratives. “I prefer not to speak about the past,” he stated, emphasizing a forward-looking perspective for the team.
A Strategic Shift in Focus
Elaborating on his stance during an interview with the program “Durina Gheer”, Diaby underscored the collective mood within the squad. “I want to talk about the present and the future. Today we achieved a big win and earned 3 points, and everyone is happy,” he remarked. He attributed the emphatic victory to the squad’s daily dedication, suggesting that the result served as a reward for every player’s persistent efforts to improve.
The formidable attacking partnership between Diaby and Benzema was instrumental last season, propelling Al-Ittihad to a domestic double of the Saudi Pro League and King’s Cup. However, that chapter concluded abruptly when Benzema departed after declining to complete the remainder of his contract, a decision reportedly influenced by the club’s unsatisfactory renewal offer.
Choosing to concentrate on the team’s current trajectory and its significant continental achievement, Diaby’s comments reflect a strategic pivot. By celebrating the present success and the collective work ethic, the player and the club are evidently navigating a new era, one defined by their performance on the pitch rather than the high-profile transactions off it.