Al Ittihad coach Laurent Blanc expects Friday’s game between Roshn Saudi League leaders and Al Nassr to showcase the best the competition has to offer.

Blanc’s side host their Riyadh rivals at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, knowing a win would ensure they head into the winter break at the summit. The 2022-23 champions, fifth last season, have won all but one of their 12 RSL games this season, including the last eight.

“It happens everywhere, in France, in Europe; “These games are important for both clubs,” said Blanc. “But you know that in the championship all games are important.” So this game is important for the club, for the players, for the fans, and we have even more expectations. It’s a good game for both teams.”

With nine goals each, they sit second in the race for the 2024-25 RSL golden boot – only Al Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored more with 12 – while the former Real Madrid teammates both scored in their last league game.

Not that it’s necessary, but Blanc admits that the presence of the legendary players on Friday will add even more spice to the exciting West Coast encounter.

“It is very interesting because we have the opportunity to see two of the best players of the last ten years in the stadium in Jeddah: Ronaldo and Benzema,” said the Frenchman, who was appointed to Al Ittihad in the summer. “There will be a lot of good players in the stadium but we will have two Ballon d’Or (winners) there for the fans to see.

“And we have two players in good shape. That’s why I think all people want to see the game. It’s very interesting because Ronaldo is a goalscorer and Benzema is a goalscorer and it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to watch this game. And we also have the opportunity for the managers to be in the stadium.

“It’s a good game. It’s a good game to play, it’s a good game to win because both teams want to win this game and I think we want to play offense.”