The fiery encounter between Real Madrid and Benfica in the Champions League playoffs witnessed dramatic events that extended beyond the pitch, casting a shadow over the atmosphere at Benfica's stadium. The story began with a typically brilliant performance from Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, who put Real Madrid ahead with a clean goal, further increasing the tension and pressure on the home side.

In an unfortunate turn of events, Vinicius Junior was subjected to verbal harassment by a Benfica player. The exchange between them escalated into an unsportsmanlike manner, including racist remarks. This prompted the Brazilian star to immediately approach the referee to report the opposing player's behavior, as well as the chants from some fans in the stands. The situation necessitated decisive intervention from the refereeing team, who were forced to temporarily halt the match in accordance with established protocols for such incidents to ensure the safety of the players and the integrity of the competition.

The situation didn't end there; it required the immediate intervention of veteran coach José Mourinho, who was at the heart of the events and played a pivotal role in calming things down. Mourinho used his extensive experience and renowned charisma to speak with those involved and help defuse the tension that had gripped the stadium, thus helping to control the fans' chants and restore relative calm to the stands and the pitch.

This incident has reopened the debate surrounding racism in European football stadiums, a topic of which Vinicius Junior has long been a prominent victim and one of the strongest advocates against it in recent years. International and continental federations, most notably UEFA, emphasize the application of strict penalties and immediate measures in the event of such transgressions, ranging from suspending matches to cancelling them if the violations persist, in order to uphold the principles of respect and equality in sport.

At the end of the tense scene, efforts succeeded in resuming the match normally, with the ball once again being passed between the feet of Real Madrid and Benfica players. The Portuguese team attempted to equalize and get back into the game, while Real Madrid sought to protect their valuable away lead. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for everyone – players, coaches, and fans – to unite in rejecting bigotry and racism and to uphold the sportsmanship that characterizes a competition as prestigious as the UEFA Champions League.

Saudi football fans, especially those following the struggle to stay in the Roshan Professional League, will turn their attention on Thursday evening to Al-Hazm Club Stadium in Al-Rass, where Al-Kholoud will host Al-Riyadh in a fiery encounter that leaves no room for a draw, as part of the 23rd round of the competition.

This match takes on paramount importance, transcending its status as a mere league fixture. It comes at a crucial juncture in the competition, with both sides desperately seeking the three points to distance themselves from the looming threat of relegation. The Saudi league this season has witnessed fierce competition not only at the top but also in the mid-table, making every point a lifeline for struggling teams.

Given the recent history of encounters between the two teams, a clear rivalry and back-and-forth battle is evident. Last season saw a series of victories; Al-Riyadh won the first leg 3-1, only for Al-Kholoud to avenge that defeat with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the second leg. In the first leg of this season, Al-Riyadh secured a narrow 1-0 win, giving Al-Kholoud added motivation to seek revenge and level the score in tomorrow's match.

Al-Kholoud enters the match in thirteenth place in the standings with 19 points, accumulated from six wins and one draw, while suffering 14 defeats. The team is experiencing a perplexing period of inconsistency. After a stunning upset victory against Al-Shabab, they suffered a loss to the bottom-ranked team, raising questions about the team's stability and jeopardizing their position in the table. Therefore, the coaching staff and players are striving to regain their footing and reconcile with the fans through this match in Riyadh.

Al-Khulood relies on a squad of distinguished names and foreign professionals to tip the scales in their favor, led by the reliable Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Cusani and his compatriot, striker Ramiro Enrique, in addition to the solid Slovakian defender Norbert Gyumbr. The list also includes Englishman John Buckley, Surinamese defender Shakeel Binas, Comorian Meziani Maoulida, Lithuanian Edgaras Utkus, and Spaniard Iker Kortajarina, alongside the local talent Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa.

In contrast, the situation for the visiting team, Al-Riyadh, is not much better. They languish in 16th place (one of the direct relegation spots) with only 13 points, accumulated from two wins, seven draws, and 12 losses. Despite some positive signs and a relative improvement in their performance in the last round against Al-Khaleej, the team's winless streak continues, placing immense pressure on the players to secure all three points and revive their hopes of remaining in the top flight.

Riyadh, for its part, possesses technically gifted players capable of making a difference, most notably veteran Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, French defender Yoann Barbet, and his compatriot Teddy Oko. The squad also includes Spaniard Poirier, Algerian Victor Lekhal, Senegalese Mamadou Sylla, and the Portuguese duo António Tozé and Leandro Antunes. This match will be a true test of these players' ability to lift the team out of its slump.

Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Thursday, as Al-Ettifaq hosts Al-Fateh at the Egea Stadium in Dammam in a highly anticipated match for the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. This encounter carries particular significance as it pits the two giants of the Eastern Province against each other, with both sides eager to bounce back and return to winning ways.

The journey to find compensation after the stumbles of the greats

Both teams enter the match in relatively similar circumstances, each seeking to overcome the effects of defeats in the previous round against Riyadh's two giants. Al-Ettifaq suffered a loss to league leaders Al-Hilal, while Al-Fateh stumbled against Al-Nassr, making tomorrow's match an ideal opportunity to appease their fans and regain their technical and psychological balance before entering the final stages of the league.

Historical superiority tends toward the "typical"

Looking at the statistics and history, Al-Fateh clearly holds the advantage in the head-to-head record between the two teams in the Saudi Professional League. They have met 29 times previously, with Al-Fateh securing 13 victories compared to only 8 for Al-Ettifaq, while 8 matches ended in a draw. In terms of goals, Al-Fateh's attack is also superior, having scored 42 goals against Al-Ettifaq, compared to 25 goals scored by the latter.

The two teams' positions in the standings

Al-Ettifaq currently sits seventh in the Roshan League standings with 35 points, accumulated from ten wins and five draws, while suffering six defeats. The team hopes to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to climb into the international qualification spots or at least improve their position in the safe zone. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh is struggling with poor results, placing them tenth with 24 points, earned from six wins and six draws, while suffering nine losses. They desperately need the three points to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

Star Battalion and the Battle of Tactics

The match promises a technical clash between two squads brimming with international and local stars, reflecting the significant development of the Saudi league and its growing regional and international influence. Al-Ettifaq will rely on their experienced Dutch captain, Georginio Wijnaldum, to control the midfield, alongside Spaniard Álvaro Medrán, Slovakian goalkeeper Marek Rodák, Scottish defender Mark Hendry, and Costa Rican Francisco Calvo, in addition to their attacking prowess embodied by Frenchman Moussa Dembélé and South African Mohau Nkotto.

On the other hand, Al-Fateh aims to break its losing streak, having failed to secure a victory in its last seven matches (four draws and three losses). The team relies on the skills of Moroccan stars Mourad Batna and Marouane Saadane, as well as Algerian Sofiane Bendebka in midfield. They also count on Comorian Zaidou Youssouf, Argentinian Matias Vargas, Cape Verdean Wesley Delgado, and promising young local talents like Fahad Al-Zubaidi and Nayef Masoud.

This confrontation is not just about three points, but a struggle to impose leadership in the Eastern region and to confirm the ability to compete in one of the strongest Arab and Asian leagues currently.