The group training of Al-Ittihad's first football team witnessed good news for the technical staff and fans, with the regular participation of the young attacking midfielder Farha Al-Shamrani , as part of the intensive preparations that "Al-Ameed" is carrying out in preparation for the anticipated fiery confrontation against its traditional rival Al-Hilal in the summit of the Roshan Professional League matches.

Al-Shamrani's return and details of his participation

The addition of 19-year-old Al-Shamrani to Al-Ittihad's training sessions provides the coaching staff with additional options in midfield. The young player had a brief loan spell with Al-Riyadh during the 2025/2026 season, where he played just one match for 12 minutes against Al-Fateh, before his loan was terminated and he returned to represent Al-Ittihad once again. This reflects the club's desire to utilize its young talent during the crucial stage of the season.

The importance of El Clásico and the context of the competition

The match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal carries immense significance, transcending the mere fact that it's a three-pointer; it represents the "Saudi Clasico," a highly anticipated fixture with a massive following both locally and regionally, given the rich history shared by the two clubs and the presence of world-class stars in their ranks. This match comes at a particularly crucial time for Al-Ittihad, who are striving to improve their position in the standings and appease their fans by securing a positive result against the league leaders.

The two teams' positions in the Roshan League table

The two teams enter the match with contrasting ambitions, reflected in their statistics. Al- Hilal atop the Roshan League standings with 53 points, consistently delivering performances that make them the strongest contender for the title. In contrast, Al- Ittihad struggling with inconsistent results, placing them sixth with 37 points – a position unbecoming of a former champion. Therefore, a victory in this match is crucial to close the gap and move closer to the top spots that qualify for continental competitions.

Date of the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Hilal match

Al-Ittihad is set to be a formidable guest against Al-Hilal in a crucial match scheduled for 10:00 PM next Saturday. This encounter falls within the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, and sports fans eagerly anticipate a high-quality football match befitting the reputation and rapid development of Saudi football.

Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jesus, announced the official lineup for their match against Turkmenistan's Erkadag, scheduled for Wednesday evening, in the second leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16. This crucial match comes at a time when Al-Nassr is seeking to confirm its continental dominance and advance to the final stages of the tournament.

The starting lineup saw notable tactical changes, most prominently the return of goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi to Al-Nassr's goal after his absence from previous matches due to a tactical decision. This provides a morale boost to the defense. The lineup also saw defensive reinforcement with the return of veteran Spanish defender Iñigo Martínez to the starting eleven, reflecting coach Jorge Jesus's desire to solidify the back line and secure a positive result.

Victory lineup for the Arkadag match

Al-Nasr's coaching staff has settled on the following names to start the match, relying on a mix of young players and experienced ones:

• Goalkeeper: Nawaf Al-Aqidi.
• Defense line: Nawaf Boushal, Inigo Martinez, Nader Al-Sharari, Salem Al-Najdi.
• Midfield: Ali Al-Hassan, Angelo Gabriel, Ayman Yahya.
• Attack line: Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Mohammed Maran, Abdullah Al-Hamdan.

Context of the match and importance of the event

Al-Nasr enters this match with a slight advantage after securing a 1-0 victory in the first leg at the home ground of Arkadag. Despite the away win, knockout matches in Asian competitions always demand caution and high concentration, especially against ambitious teams like Arkadag, who are striving to represent Turkmen football in the best possible way.

Al-Nassr's participation in the AFC Champions League is of paramount importance, as Saudi clubs strive to maintain their dominance in Asian football across its various competitions. Reaching the quarterfinals is a crucial step for Al-Nassr to compete for the title, adding particular significance to today's match to demonstrate the technical and physical readiness of both reserve and starting players, especially given the pressure of domestic and continental fixtures.

Al-Nasr fans are counting on the dynamism of attacking players like Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Abdullah Al-Hamdan to unlock the opponent's defense early, while relying on the solidity of Martinez and Al-Aqidi at the back to keep a clean sheet and secure passage to the next round.

There is a sense of optimism within the corridors of Al-Hilal Saudi Club as the brilliant Brazilian professional, Malcom , is close to returning to actual participation in matches, as recent reports indicate an increasing chance of his presence in the starting lineup that will play the anticipated Clasico against Al-Ittihad Club in the next round of the Roshan Professional League.

Malcom has recovered and is ready for El Clasico

Medical follow-up has shown a marked improvement in the Brazilian star's condition, bringing him closer to a full recovery from his recent injury. Detailed medical examinations conducted on Malcom after the Al-Ettifaq match revealed a minor knee injury, necessitating rest and an intensive treatment and rehabilitation program to ensure his full readiness for major matches.

Al-Hilal had achieved an important victory with two goals to nil against their guest Al-Ettifaq in the (22) round competitions, before continuing their series of victories by defeating Al-Wahda of the UAE with two goals to one in the conclusion of the group stage of the AFC Champions League for Elite, a match in which the technical staff preferred to rest Malcom in order not to risk him before the important local match.

Malcolm's impressive statistics with Al-Hilal

Malcom is a key player in Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus's squad, as evidenced by his significant impact on the team's attacking system. The 28-year-old has featured in 25 matches for Al-Hilal this season, scoring 7 goals and providing 10 assists for his teammates, accumulating 2093 minutes of playing time. This makes him an indispensable asset in crucial matches.

The importance of the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad match (Saudi Clasico)

The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad match holds special significance beyond being merely a three-point game; it represents the "Saudi football classic," attracting a massive following both locally and across the Arab world. This encounter comes at a time when Al-Hilal is striving to solidify its lead and widen the gap with its rivals, bringing it closer to securing the league title.

Al-Hilal is scheduled to host Al-Ittihad at 10:00 PM next Saturday, in the 23rd round of the Roshan League. Al-Hilal enters the match at the top of the standings with 53 points, giving them a significant morale boost. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad has struggled this season, currently sitting in sixth place with 37 points, and will be looking to appease their fans and improve their position in the standings by achieving a positive result against the league leaders.

Malcolm's return to the Blues at this time represents a huge technical and moral boost for the team, especially in light of the high competitiveness of the Clasico matches, as such encounters require the mental and technical presence of all the team's stars.