Al-Nassr's first football team is preparing for a crucial and highly anticipated match against Al-Fateh in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This game is of paramount importance to the Riyadh-based club, which aims to extend its winning streak and close the gap on the league leaders. The match will be played at Al-Fateh's home stadium in front of their fans.

List of absences and technical decisions

According to sources following Al-Nassr's preparations, several young and prominent players will be absent from their match against Al-Fateh. Haider Abdulkarim's absence is confirmed due to a technical decision by the coaching staff. In related technical decisions, Abdulmalik Al-Jaber will also be absent for a tactical reason by coach Jorge Jesus, in addition to goalkeeper Raghed Al-Najjar's continued absence due to his lack of full medical and physical readiness to play.

The return of the Don... a huge morale boost

On the bright side for Al-Nassr fans, the match against Al-Fateh will witness a significant event: the return of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo to lead the team's attack. This return comes after his recovery and the official resolution of his recent health issues. He has been included in the squad for the Al-Fateh match, providing a tremendous morale and tactical boost to his teammates on the pitch, given his immense goal-scoring prowess and leadership qualities.

The battle for the top spot and Al-Hilal's pursuit

Al-Nassr enters this match with its sights set on nothing less than three points, as it seeks to continue its winning streak in order to keep pace with its traditional rival, Al-Hilal, in the heated title race. Al-Hilal recently secured a valuable 2-0 victory against Al-Ettifaq at the Kingdom Arena, further increasing the pressure on Al-Nassr players to avoid dropping any points in the remaining rounds and maintain their chances of competing for the title.

The importance of the match in the context of the Saudi League

This match comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League (Roshan League) is experiencing tremendous growth and unprecedented global viewership, with every match becoming a cup final for the teams vying for the top spots. Historically, matches between Al-Nassr and Al-Fateh are characterized by their competitiveness and excitement, especially since Al-Fateh boasts talented players and excels at playing at home. This necessitates that Al-Nassr maintain caution and high concentration throughout the ninety minutes to achieve their objective and return to Riyadh with all three points.

Ahmed Sharahili, the central defender of Al-Ittihad's first football team, made important statements regarding the crucial upcoming matches for his team, most notably the anticipated Clasico against Al-Hilal in the Roshan Professional League, in addition to the decisive continental match.

Speaking to the “Our League is Different” program, Sharahili explained that the current focus within the club is entirely on the upcoming match against Al Sadd of Qatar in the AFC Champions League, stressing that this match represents a top priority for the team before thinking about facing Al Hilal, which will be held at Al Inma Stadium, noting that “the Al Hilal match will have special preparation in everything” due to its technical and popular value.

A special showdown with Karim Benzema

Sharahili also spoke about the upcoming match against his former teammate and global star Karim Benzema, commenting, "Karim Benzema is definitely like a brother to me, and that's life and football. I wish him all the best in his career, wherever he may be." The Al-Ittihad defender added professionally, "Despite the strong friendship I have with Benzema, my first and only goal on the pitch is to help my team win and secure points.".

Physical readiness and upcoming challenges

Regarding his medical condition, Sharahili reassured Al-Ittihad fans, saying: "I suffered an injury, but it is minor, thank God, and I will be ready for the team's next match against Al-Sadd of Qatar, as well as the Al-Hilal match, as normal," which strengthens the technical staff's defensive options at this critical stage of the season.

The importance of El Clásico and the history of the conflict

Matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal hold exceptional importance in Saudi and Arab sports circles. This "classic" rivalry is considered a prestigious showcase for Saudi football, given the rich history shared by the two clubs and their fierce competition for domestic and continental titles. Sharahili's statements underscore the players' awareness of the immense responsibility placed upon them, especially since winning such matches is not merely about securing three points, but also provides a tremendous morale boost to the winning team as they continue their pursuit of the championship.

The Asian challenge against Al Sadd

On the other hand, the match against Qatari side Al Sadd is no less important than the domestic derby, as Al Ittihad seeks to strengthen its position in the AFC Champions League. Qatari clubs, especially Al Sadd, are considered formidable competitors in Asia, requiring a high level of mental and physical focus from the Tigers to overcome this obstacle and ensure their continued pursuit of the most prestigious continental title. This is something Sharahili emphasized, placing this match as a top priority before even thinking about the domestic league.

Ahmed Sharahili, the rock of the first football team’s defense at Al-Ittihad Club, made important statements regarding the crucial stage that “Al-Ameed” is about to enter, which includes heavyweight matches, whether at the local level in the Roshan Professional League or continentally within the AFC Champions League competitions.

Speaking on the "Our League is Different" program, Sharahili highlighted the special arrangements for the upcoming match against Al-Hilal at Al-Inma Stadium, emphasizing that the current focus is entirely on the Asian competition first. Sharahili said, "Our current focus is completely on the team's upcoming match against Al-Sadd of Qatar in the AFC Champions League. The Al-Hilal match will require special preparation in every aspect after we finish our continental commitments.".

An emotional and professional confrontation against Benzema

The international defender also spoke about the special encounter he will have with his former teammate and global star Karim Benzema, their first meeting since Benzema's departure, an event eagerly anticipated by the sporting world. Sharahili commented with great sportsmanship, saying, "Karim Benzema is definitely my brother, and that's life and football. I wish him all the best in his career, wherever he may be.".

Sharahili added, clarifying that friendship doesn't negate competitiveness on the pitch: "My first and last goal is to help my team win. I have a strong friendship with Benzema, but the Al-Ittihad badge comes first." These statements underscore the professional mentality of the players in the Roshan League, where loyalty to the jersey takes precedence over personal relationships during the 90 minutes.

Physical readiness and continental challenges

Regarding his physical readiness, Sharahili reassured Al-Ittihad fans about his health after the news that circulated about his injury, concluding his statement by saying: "I suffered an injury, but it is minor, thank God, and I will be ready for the team's next match against Al-Sadd of Qatar, in addition to the Al-Hilal match, as normal.".

These statements are of paramount importance given the significance of the upcoming matches. Facing Qatar's Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League presents a major challenge for Saudi clubs seeking to reaffirm their continental dominance, as this tournament, with its new format, is considered the true test of the continent's strongest clubs. Furthermore, the Saudi Arabian derby between Al Ittihad and Al Hilal is always the highlight of the season, with its impact extending to the title race and the championship decider, making the readiness of key players like Sharahili a crucial factor in the coaching staff's calculations.