Portuguese coach Armando Evangelista, manager of Damac FC, attributed his team’s heavy 3-0 defeat to Neom in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League to a combination of factors, primarily the players’ extreme fatigue and the pressure of consecutive matches.

In his analysis of the match, Evangelista explained that the team started with a conservative tactical plan relying on three defenders, aiming to manage physical fatigue and the limited squad options due to injuries and suspensions. Despite falling behind, the coach praised his players' response in the second half, saying: “We delivered a completely different performance in the second half. We switched to an attacking style and managed to create several genuine scoring opportunities, but we lacked the decisive final touch in front of goal. Furthermore, Nyom's goalkeeper, Maximiano, was outstanding, preventing us from getting back into the game.”.

General context and challenges of the Roshan League

This loss comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has witnessed a significant rise in competitiveness and intensity following the influx of top international football stars. This development has increased the physical and mental demands on all teams, particularly those lacking the squad depth and depth of options enjoyed by the top-tier clubs. Damac FC, based in Khamis Mushait, faces additional challenges related to the long distances involved in away matches, a point the coach explicitly acknowledged when he cited "travel conditions and the pressure of air travel" as contributing factors to his players' declining physical fitness.

Expected impact and future outlook

This result puts Damac under increasing pressure to maintain their mid-table position and avoid getting caught up in complicated calculations in the upcoming rounds. Evangelista confirmed that the coaching staff is currently analyzing the situation to find quick and effective solutions to overcome this difficult period. He concluded by saying, “We are going through a critical period with the continued pressure of matches and the increasing number of absences, but we are working hard to prepare the team and restore its balance. I have great confidence in the players' ability to overcome this setback and return to winning ways as soon as possible.” The biggest challenge facing the Portuguese coach remains how to manage the squad and rotate players to avoid further injuries and ensure they maintain peak fitness for the remainder of the season.

Tensions have escalated within Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad club after star striker Karim Benzema, captain of the first football team, requested to be excluded from the squad for their match against Al-Najma in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. This unexpected request further complicates matters for the Jeddah-based club, which has been struggling with inconsistent results this season.

According to reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, Benzema has informed the club's management and coaching staff, led by manager Sergio Conceição, that he is not ready to play in Sunday's match, despite participating in group training sessions. Jacobs indicated that "the situation is tense given the stalled contract renewal negotiations," adding that other players on the team are nearing the end of their contracts and are pressuring to leave, putting manager Conceição in a difficult and unexpected position.

Background to the transition and escalation of the crisis

Karim Benzema's move to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 was a sensational transfer on the global stage, as he arrived in the Saudi league as the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, recognized as the world's best player. His transfer was part of a massive project aimed at attracting top international football stars to raise the level of competition and draw attention to the Kingdom. However, the player's time with Al-Ittihad has not been without its challenges, marked by periods of tension and criticism regarding his performance and commitment, leading to a difficult period in his relationship with the club in recent months.

Expected impact on the club and the league

Benzema's absence represents a significant blow to Al-Ittihad's attack, especially with fellow striker Saleh Al-Shehri also injured, leaving the team in a precarious position and suffering from a severe shortage of attacking options. Domestically, this crisis is raising concerns among Al-Ittihad fans about the team's future and its ability to compete. Regionally and internationally, these developments highlight the challenges facing the Saudi league in managing its international stars and maintaining their stability, potentially impacting the league's image as an attractive destination for top players in the future. The situation remains uncertain, awaiting developments in the coming days, whether the crisis will be resolved or exacerbated, potentially leading to the French star's departure from the club.

Al-Nassr strengthened their hold on second place in the Saudi Professional League standings, continuing their climb towards the top spot, after securing a resounding and well-deserved 3-0 victory over Al-Kholoud. The match, held at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraidah, was part of the 19th round of the competition and showcased a remarkable performance from the club's stars.

General context and competition for the title

This victory comes at a crucial juncture in the season, as the title race intensifies between the two Riyadh giants, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. Al-Nassr's win in this match was more than just three points; it sent a powerful message to the league leaders that they will not relinquish their title aspirations easily. With each passing round, securing maximum points becomes increasingly important to avoid any slip-up that could widen the gap. This victory marks Al-Nassr's fourth consecutive win, reflecting the team's technical stability and high morale as they strive to reclaim the long-lost title.

Match details and events

Al-Nassr started the match with a strong attacking pressure from the opening minutes, threatening Al-Kholoud's goal on several occasions. Al-Kholoud's goalkeeper, Argentinian Juan Cusani, was outstanding, saving attempts from João Félix and Kingsley Coman, while defender Mansour Kamara cleared a certain goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite an improved performance from Al-Kholoud midway through the first half, the first half ended in a goalless draw thanks to their solid defense and the brilliance of their goalkeeper.

The resistance didn't last long. At the start of the second half, Al-Nassr broke through the defense just two minutes in, when Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo a rebound off the crossbar to put it into the net in the 47th minute. Al-Nassr didn't give their opponents a chance to catch their breath, as French defender Mohamed Simakan a second goal with a well-placed header in the 53rd minute. Frenchman Kingsley Coman his team's hat-trick from a penalty kick in the 87th minute, awarded after Al-Kholoud captain Hattan Bahebri was sent off in the 72nd minute, leaving the home side to finish the match with ten men.

Impact and importance

With this victory, Al-Nassr raised its points tally to 43, narrowing the gap with league leaders Al-Hilal to just three points. This puts significant pressure on the league leaders in the upcoming rounds and intensifies the title race. Internationally, Al-Nassr's victories, spearheaded by world-class stars like Ronaldo, continue to attract global media attention, further enhancing the prestige and brand value of the Saudi Professional League as one of the most attractive leagues worldwide. Conversely, this loss compounded Al-Kholoud's woes, as they dropped to 14th place with 15 points, finding themselves in an even more intense battle to avoid relegation.