Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad Club issued an official statement detailing the medical condition of their French star, Moussa Diaby, just hours before their highly anticipated match against Qatar's Al-Sadd. The announcement came after the player underwent a series of thorough medical examinations under the supervision of the club's medical staff to assess his fitness and determine his availability for upcoming matches.

Medical examinations revealed that the French winger is suffering from a contusion in his left hip. Based on the diagnosis, the medical staff decided to develop a special treatment and rehabilitation program for the player, along with a comprehensive daily assessment of his physical condition to ensure his return to the field in peak condition and to prevent the injury from worsening during this crucial stage of the season.

In a related development, the Al-Ittihad team delegation departed Monday evening for Doha, Qatar, in preparation for their crucial match against Al-Sadd on Tuesday evening. The match will be held at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, as part of the eighth and final round of the West Zone group stage in the 2025-2026 AFC Champions League.

Al-Ittihad enters this match with extremely high morale, as the team is enjoying a period of technical stability and positive results. They officially secured their qualification for the Round of 16 after a stunning performance in the previous round, where they thrashed Qatari side Al-Gharafa 7-0, a result that reflected the team's formidable attacking prowess. With this victory, Al-Ittihad raised their points tally to 12, occupying fifth place in the overall standings for the West Zone.

On the other hand, the match is of paramount importance to Qatari club Al Sadd, currently in eighth place with eight points. The Qatari team will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to secure a victory and guarantee their place among the top eight, thus ensuring qualification for the next round. This adds a fierce competitive edge to the encounter, despite Al Ittihad having already secured their place in the next stage.

Matches between Saudi and Qatari clubs are always fiercely contested and exciting in Asian tournaments, with each side striving to assert its dominance. For Al-Ittihad, the match represents an opportunity to improve their final league position, potentially giving them an advantage in the knockout stage draw, while Al-Sadd is fighting for its survival in the continent's most prestigious club competition.

In the latest chapter of the endless drama and controversy plaguing Italian football, Gianluca Rocchi, head of the Serie A referees' committee, issued a rare and official apology following the tumultuous events of the "Derby d'Italia" between arch-rivals Inter and Juventus. The match, which ended in a 3-2 defeat for Juventus thanks to a 90th-minute goal from Polish midfielder Piotr Zielinski, was more than just a casual football encounter; it devolved into a battleground that dominated headlines due to controversial refereeing decisions.

Formal apology and admission of error

With the unequivocal statement, "We are very sorry for the incident," Rocchi acknowledged the egregious error made by referee Federico La Penna in the 25th round of Serie A. The controversy centered on the sending off of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu in the 42nd minute, after he received a second yellow card for a foul deemed "imaginary" against Alessandro Bastoni. Rocchi explained to the Italian news agency ANSA that the decision was clearly wrong, adding that referee La Penna was deeply upset by what had transpired.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology dilemma

What further complicated matters was the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol. Since the referee issued a second yellow card and not a straight red, the VAR room could not intervene to correct the decision according to the applicable rules, forcing Juventus to play with ten men for more than a half. Media outlets confirmed that Kalulu's first yellow card was harsh, while the second was a clear dive by Bastoni, who also deserved a red card as he already had a yellow card.

A history of animosity and behind-the-scenes tension

This error takes on added significance given the historically tense rivalry between the two clubs. The Inter-Juventus match is known as the "Derby d'Italia" and carries a long legacy of animosity, especially with past accusations from Inter that Juventus is "the referees' team." Cameras captured a tense atmosphere in the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms, where Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti and club officials, including Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli, were seen vehemently confronting the referee, potentially exposing themselves to sanctions.

Repercussions for the Italian national team

The controversy wasn't confined to the clubs; it extended to the Italian national team, the Azzurri, as they prepare for the European playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. Calls grew louder for Bastoni's exclusion from the squad due to his unsportsmanlike conduct, with journalist Alessandro Giacoboni criticizing the player's behavior as contrary to the team's values. Nevertheless, reports indicate that coach Gennaro Gattuso will rely on him in the crucial match against Northern Ireland, amidst fan concerns about the impact this negative attitude could have on their World Cup qualification hopes.

A clash of legends: Del Piero and Chivu

Football legends have weighed in on the crisis, with Alessandro Del Piero strongly criticizing Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu's comments, in which Chivu defended the red card decision, claiming it was due to a "light touch." Del Piero responded on Sky Sport, asserting that Inter, as a strong team, doesn't need such assistance to win, and expressing his hope that Chivu would reconsider his position and admit that the fall was unjustified. This incident reflects the deep rift this derby has created within Italian sporting circles.

With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, Saudi football fans are turning their attention to what could be called the "leap rounds," as the Saudi Professional League teams embark on a grueling and crucial marathon starting next Thursday. The clubs will have to play three full rounds in just 7 to 9 days, in Ramadan evenings expected to be full of excitement and fierce competition, directly impacting the title race, depending on the varying difficulty of each team's matches.

The pressure of Asian participation and its impact on fitness

The challenge isn't limited to the domestic league; this pressure coincides with continental commitments. Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad all face crucial Asian Champions League matches midweek, which will determine their final group stage positions. Although Al-Hilal has already secured first place, everyone is eagerly awaiting the final round to learn who the national representatives will face in the Round of 16. Coaches are expected to rotate their squads to rest some players, but the pressure of consecutive matches remains a major concern for the coaching staff. The situation is similar for Al-Nassr, who will play the second leg of their Round of 16 match in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday evening, placing them under the same strain of fatigue and a congested schedule.

Map of confrontations: Who benefits and who is harmed?

Looking at the upcoming match schedule, clear discrepancies emerge that could reshape the top positions:

• Al-Qadisiyah (fourth): faces a schedule of progressive difficulty starting with Al-Akhdoud, then Al-Ettifaq, and finally Al-Taawon.
• Al-Ahli (third): Their path seems relatively clear with a match against Al-Najma, followed by matches against Damac and Al-Riyadh.
• Al-Nasr (second): It has a schedule that seems "easy" in theory, with Al-Hazm being hosted, then facing Al-Najma and Al-Fayha away from home.

Based on these factors, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli have a golden opportunity to add a full 9 points to their tally if things go according to plan. In contrast, Al-Hilal finds itself in a real predicament during these crucial rounds, starting with a fiery top-of-the-table clash at home against Al-Ittihad, followed by away matches against Al-Taawoun and Al-Shabab – a series of risky and unpredictable fixtures.

The Kingdom's Clasico: More than just three points

All eyes will be on the Kingdom Arena on Saturday evening for the highly anticipated derby between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad. This match is crucial not only for the two teams themselves, but also for fans of Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Qadsia. Any slip-up by Al-Hilal could revive their rivals' hopes of closing the gap and seizing the top spot. The game comes amidst a tense atmosphere and mixed emotions, especially after the dramatic events surrounding Karim Benzema's transfer from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, and the ensuing media and fan reactions, which even bordered on veiled incitement on social media. Undoubtedly, the pitch will be the ultimate judge in this intense Ramadan football derby, which could very well reshape the league standings.

Long struggle

In conclusion, considering the current form, Al-Ahli as a team and Al-Nassr as individual players have a strong chance of competing for the title, followed by Al-Qadisiyah with its distinctive cohesion. However, Al-Hilal remains a formidable team that maintains its focus entirely on the pitch, making it a difficult task to wrest the lead from them. Whether these crucial rounds see stable standings or witness a flurry of musical chairs, the league title will ultimately go to the team with the most stamina, the one capable of overcoming challenges and difficulties solely on the field, far removed from the noise of the media platforms.