{"id":149568,"date":"2026-06-30T01:41:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T04:41:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/ex-roma-defender-benatia-questions-lack-of-minutes-for-el-aynaoui\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T01:41:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T04:41:40","slug":"ex-roma-defender-benatia-questions-lack-of-minutes-for-el-aynaoui","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/ex-roma-defender-benatia-questions-lack-of-minutes-for-el-aynaoui\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Roma defender Benatia questions lack of minutes for El Aynaoui"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma celebrates with his teammate after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025\/26 League Phase MD5 match between AS Roma and FC Midtjylland at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Mehdi Benatia has expressed his surprise at the limited game time Neil El Aynaoui has been afforded at Roma, while revealing he tried to bring the midfielder to Marseille before the Giallorossi stepped in.<\/p>\n

The former Roma defender, who is now sporting director at Olympique Marseille, was speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport in a wide-ranging interview that touched on Italian football and his old club.<\/p>\n

He reserved warm words for his compatriot.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very strong because he combines quality and quantity,\u201d Benatia said of El Aynaoui, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t understand why he played less at Roma than I would have expected. I had tried to sign him for my Marseille, but he cost too much.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Morocco international still featured regularly in the Italian capital this season, racking up 34 appearances and contributing two goals and two assists across the campaign.<\/p>\n

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epa07680964 Moroccan players Mehdi Benatia (L) and Romain Saiss (R) celebrate after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group D soccer match between Morocco and the Ivory Coast at Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, 28 June 2019. EPA-EFE\/GAVIN BARKER<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former Roma man Benatia delivers heartfelt verdict on Italy\u2019s World Cup absence<\/h2>\n

Benatia<\/a>, who spent several years in Serie A, also turned to a subject close to him: Italy\u2019s failure to reach the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a huge loss, Italy is in my heart, it gave me everything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately the reality is that the best Italian attackers are inferior to the reserves in France\u2019s attacking department. I really hope Italy can turn things around quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is a sobering assessment from a man who made his name in Italian football, and one that speaks to the wider soul-searching gripping the Azzurri as they sit out a major tournament once again.<\/p>\n

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