Sports
Blanc relies on players born in the country in the match against Al Ahli Dubai
Al-Ittihad faces significant challenges with injuries and suspensions ahead of their AFC Champions League clash against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai. Will Blanc succeed in securing a victory? Find out the details!
Al-Ittihad prepares to face Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in the AFC Champions League
Al-Ittihad Saudi team is preparing to face Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in a crucial match, as part of the second round of the AFC Champions League for elite clubs, next Tuesday at 9:15 pm at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah.
Challenges of injuries and suspensions
French coach Laurent Blanc enters this match amidst great challenges, as the team will be missing the services of the prominent duo, Muhannad Al-Shanqiti and Houssem Aouar.
Al-Shanqiti is suffering from a muscle injury sustained during Al-Najma’s match in the Roshan League, in addition to being suspended for two matches after receiving a red card against Al-Wahda of the UAE in the first round of the Asian Championship.
As for the Algerian star Houssem Aouar, he suffered a muscle injury during Al-Nasr’s last match in the Roshan League.
Alternative tactics and new players
In light of these significant absences, Blanc plans to call upon the young players Carlos Simic, Mohamed Doumbia, and Roger Fernandez to compensate for the shortage and strengthen the team's ranks.
The coach will conduct a football drill to implement the technical style he will rely on and to settle on the starting lineup that will play in the anticipated match.
The ambition to win and compete continentally
Al-Ittihad seeks to achieve victory and collect the three points to enhance its chances of competing for the AFC Champions League title before the break due to FIFA days.
This victory will be a strong motivation for the team before returning to the intense local and continental competitions that await them after the break.
A busy schedule and upcoming challenges for the Dean
After the resumption of matches following the international break, Al-Ittihad team is expecting a busy schedule that includes 7 matches in just 24 days.
Al-Ittihad will face tough domestic challenges with matches against Al-Fayha, Al-Hilal, Al-Khaleej, and Al-Ahli in the Roshan League. They will also have a fiery encounter against Al-Nassr in Riyadh in the Round of 16 of the King's Cup.
On the continental level, Al-Ittihad will meet the Iraqi Police team and the Emirati Sharjah team within the AFC Champions League for elite clubs.
The next match for Al-Ittihad: A date with excitement and challenge!
Al-Ittihad Saudi vs. Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai UAE - Tuesday, September 30, 2025 - 9:15 PM Jeddah time.
Sports
Abdulrahman Al-Aboud returns to Al-Ittihad's squad against Al-Sadd by decision of Conceição
Sergio Conceição has decided to include Abdulrahman Al-Aboud in Al-Ittihad's squad for their AFC Champions League match against Al-Sadd of Qatar, following the resolution of his recent issues. Details of the decision and the squad list are available.

In a decisive tactical move reflecting the coaching staff's desire to finalize preparations before major continental matches, Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad Club, made the immediate decision to include winger Abdulrahman Al-Aboud in the squad for the upcoming clash against Qatar's Al-Sadd. Al-Ittihad is preparing to host their Qatari counterparts in a highly anticipated match, the eighth and final round of the group stage in the AFC Champions League.
The end of the crisis and the return of technical stability:
Conceição's decision to sign Abdulrahman Al-Aboud represents a positive turning point in the player's career with the team this season, signaling the end of the crisis that kept him out of action recently. Al-Ittihad fans had been anxiously awaiting news of the player's future, given his high technical abilities and speed, which offer a significant attacking option. This move confirms that the Portuguese coach is seeking to turn over a new leaf based on discipline and performance on the pitch, aiming to utilize all available resources to ensure competitiveness on all fronts.
The importance of facing Al Sadd and Al Ittihad's continental aspirations:
The Al Ittihad vs. Al Sadd match takes on paramount importance, transcending its status as a mere group stage fixture; it is a classic encounter between two of West Asia's top clubs. Al Ittihad is seeking nothing less than victory to extend its winning streak and solidify its position at the top of the group, thus securing an advantage in the knockout stage draw. A win against a formidable opponent like Qatar's Al Sadd would send a powerful message to its rivals that Al Ittihad is determined to reclaim its continental glory and seriously compete for the AFC Champions League title, a trophy that has eluded the club since 2005.
With high morale and a formidable attacking force,
Al-Ittihad enters the match with sky-high spirits, bolstered by their recent impressive results. The source highlighted the team's resounding 7-0 victory (a testament to their current attacking prowess). This offensive momentum, coupled with the return of a key player like Al-Aboud, puts Conceição's squad in an excellent position to impose their style of play in the match, which will be held at their home stadium in front of their passionate fans. The supporters hope this decision marks the beginning of a period of lasting stability that will return the "Tigers" to the Asian podium.
Sports
Steven Bergwijn's stance on the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Sadd match in the AFC Champions League
Steven Bergwijn's participation with Al-Ittihad against Al-Sadd of Qatar in the AFC Champions League has been confirmed after coach Sergio Conceicao decided to include him in the squad following his recovery from injury.

Al-Ittihad fans are eagerly awaiting the crucial moments before their highly anticipated match against Al-Sadd of Qatar. One question has dominated the sports scene in recent hours: the availability of Dutch star Steven Bergwijn for this Gulf-Asian clash. Al-Ittihad is preparing to host Al-Sadd in the eighth round of the AFC Champions League group stage at Al-Inma Stadium.
Reports from the Jeddah club's headquarters brought welcome news to Al-Ittihad fans, as winger Steven Bergwijn participated fully in the team's group training session, signaling his complete recovery from his recent injury. This injury had sidelined him for some time, preventing him from participating in domestic and continental competitions, but his return now represents a huge morale and tactical boost for the Tigers.
Well-informed sources within the club confirmed that Portuguese manager Sergio Conceição has finalized his decision to include Steven Bergwijn in the official squad for the match against Al Sadd of Qatar. According to these sources, the player will not only be on the roster but will also participate in the match, giving the coach a variety of attacking tactical options to unlock the Qatari defense in this newly established continental tournament, now known as the "Elite" competition.
Al-Ittihad enters this match with sky-high morale, buoyed by a resounding victory in the previous seventh round of the same tournament, where they demolished their opponent 7-0, sending a strong message to all their rivals in Asia. The Jeddah-based club aims to capitalize on this impressive form to continue their winning streak and reaffirm their status as serious contenders for the continental title.
This match holds immense strategic importance that transcends the mere three points. The current edition of the AFC Champions League is witnessing fierce competition among the continent's top clubs, and clashes between Saudi and Qatari teams are always considered classics of Asian football, characterized by intense rivalry and excitement. Al-Ittihad is relying on its extensive continental experience, as one of the competition's historical champions, to solidify its position in the standings and secure qualification for the knockout stages in a high ranking, giving it an advantage in upcoming matches.
Bergwijn’s return at this critical time reflects the great work being done by the medical and technical staff to prepare all the players to fight on all fronts, as Al-Ittihad aspires not only to overcome the obstacle of Al-Sadd, but also to move forward towards regaining the Asian throne and making its huge fan base happy, eager for continental titles.
Sports
The reason for Marcus Leonardo's absence from the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Wahda (UAE) match
Find out why Marcus Leonardo missed Al Hilal's training sessions before facing Al Wahda of the UAE in the AFC Champions League, and the details of coach Simone Inzaghi's decision to exclude him.
The first team of Al-Hilal football club witnessed the notable absence of Brazilian professional Marcos Leonardo during their group training session, as the team prepares for their upcoming match against Al-Wahda of the UAE. This encounter is part of the eighth round of the group stage of the AFC Champions League, a tournament the club is prioritizing in its quest to reclaim the continental title.
According to sources within the club, the real reason behind Marcos Leonardo's absence from the group training session is a strict technical and administrative decision. Coach Simone Inzaghi has instructed the player to train individually, which confirms his continued exclusion from the squad for the upcoming match. This escalation comes as part of an ongoing crisis between the player and the coaching staff.
Reports indicate that Simone Inzaghi's decision to exclude Leonardo was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a continuation of a series of exclusions that have seen the player left out for the fifth consecutive match across various domestic and continental competitions. The primary reason for this exclusion is the player's firm refusal to leave Al-Hilal during the winter transfer window, which has placed the coaching staff in a position where disciplinary and tactical decisions are necessary to maintain stability within the dressing room.
In a broader context, Al-Hilal is facing a period of significant challenges amidst fierce competition on all fronts. The upcoming match against Al-Wahda is of paramount importance, not only for qualification and securing the top spot in the AFC Champions League, but also for maintaining the team's upward trajectory. Al-Hilal aims to achieve victory in this encounter to continue its positive run of results, which directly impacts player morale as they strive to maintain their lead in the Roshan Professional League standings this season.
Historically, Al-Hilal has always been distinguished by its ability to separate internal crises from match results, with the "Blue Fortress" considered a model of administrative professionalism. However, the issue of foreign players and their excessive numbers remains a persistent headache for the technical staff of major clubs. Inzaghi is attempting to address this firmly to impose technical discipline within the squad and ensure that every player is ready to serve the team's strategic objectives both domestically and continentally.
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