Postecoglou Takes Blame, Glazers Linked With Al Ittihad And Bennacer Sees Red On Debut

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From Al Nassr’s heavy defeat to a reported Al Ittihad ownership story and a chaotic AFC Champions League Elite debut, there’s plenty happening across regional sport. Ange Postecoglou took responsibility for Al Nassr’s 4-0 loss to Al Ain, the Glazer family have been linked with a potential takeover of Al Ittihad, and Ismaël Bennacer was sent off on his Al Gharafa debut against Al Hilal.

Postecoglou Takes Responsibility For Al Nassr Defeat

What Is It About
Ange Postecoglou took responsibility for Al Nassr’s 4-0 defeat to Al Ain, but strongly pushed back against criticism of his players, preparation and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Al Nassr coach said the result was on him.

Why It Matters
Postecoglou pointed to a demanding schedule, player fatigue, injuries and a disrupted preseason as factors behind the team’s recent performances. He also defended Ronaldo after a journalist questioned his impact, stressing that the Portuguese captain has already scored three goals and continues to set an example.

What’s Next
The defeat was Al Nassr’s heaviest since Ronaldo joined the club in 2023, leaving plenty of questions around the team’s start to the season and how Postecoglou responds from here.

Glazers Linked With Potential Al Ittihad Takeover

What Is It About
The Glazer family, Manchester United’s majority owners, are reportedly among the parties circling a potential takeover of Saudi giants Al Ittihad. According to Saudi programme Nadina, investors have made preliminary visits to the club as part of early due diligence.

Why It Matters
A Man United-linked consortium has been named as one of two rival groups in the running. Saudi journalist Hattan Al-Najjar specifically named the Glazers as leading that bid alongside a Saudi partner, though the claim currently comes from a single translated source and has not been widely echoed elsewhere.

What’s Next
There is no official confirmation yet from the Glazers, INEOS or Al Ittihad. For now, the deal remains at an early reported stage, with any takeover of Al Ittihad still far from confirmed.

Bennacer Sent Off On Chaotic Al Gharafa Debut

What Is It About
Ismaël Bennacer’s Al Gharafa debut turned into one of the most chaotic moments of the opening AFC Champions League Elite round. The Algerian midfielder was sent off after getting involved in a heated confrontation with Al Hilal’s Crysencio Summerville.

Why It Matters
The incident started after Summerville clashed with Al Gharafa’s Abdulrahman Al Rasheedi, before Bennacer stepped in and pulled Summerville by the hair. Both Bennacer and Summerville were shown straight red cards, ending Bennacer’s debut after just 35 minutes.

What’s Next
As Bennacer left the pitch, he was also seen reacting towards Al Hilal supporters, with Kalidou Koulibaly stepping in to calm him down. Al Hilal eventually won the match 2-1.

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SMASHI MOMENTS

• Ismaël Bennacer’s Al Gharafa debut turned into one of the most chaotic moments of the opening AFC Champions League Elite round.⁠⁠

• Hamza Abdelkarim renews his contract with Barcelona until 2030! The golden boy is just getting started.

• Cristiano Ronaldo attempted a bicycle kick at the age of 41. Does this man age?

• Sardar Azmoun almost gave Shabab Al Ahli an early lead against Iranian side Tractor in their AFC Champions League Elite opener

• Firas Al Buraikan rescued Saudi side Al Ahli with a dramatic 90+3’ equaliser against Pakhtakor in their AFC Champions League Elite opener.⁠

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