Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, has decided to make significant changes to the team's starting lineup in preparation for their upcoming match against Al-Shabab in the next round of the Saudi Professional League. This move comes as the coaching staff seeks to bolster the team's attacking and defensive strength in this crucial match, which will be played at Al-Shabab's stadium and represents a pivotal moment in the team's league campaign.

Jorge Jesus has decided to reinstate three key players who were rested in the previous match. Leading the list is team captain and Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, whose presence on the pitch is both a significant technical and moral force. In addition to Ronaldo, the coach has opted to start Sultan Al-Ghannam and Abdullah Al-Khaibari from the outset to ensure defensive balance and connect the team's lines against a tough opponent like Al-Shabab.

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to action this round is of paramount importance, as Al-Nassr fans are counting on him to secure a victory in the mini-Riyadh derby against Al-Shabab. This return comes after the coaching staff opted to rest some key players in the previous match to ensure their full physical readiness for the highly competitive domestic fixtures, especially given the tight schedule and demanding fixture list.

Al-Nassr secured a significant morale-boosting victory in their last match against Arkadag, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan. This win not only earned the team three points but also put them in a strong position to advance to the next round of the AFC Champions League, giving coach Jesus some breathing room to consider his optimal lineup for the upcoming domestic league match without immediate continental pressure.

In the broader context of the competition, matches between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab are considered classics of Saudi football, always characterized by intense rivalry and excitement, regardless of the teams' positions in the league standings. Jesus understands that winning at Al-Shabab's stadium requires complete mental and physical focus, which is why he has opted for his attacking force: Ronaldo, Al-Ghannam's experience, and Al-Khaibari's dynamism. His aim is to control the game from the outset and avoid any surprises that could hinder the team's progress in the Roshan League title race.

Technical forecasts indicate that the return of this trio will give Al-Nassr a clear tactical advantage, as Al-Ghannam contributes to effective offensive support from the right flank, while Al-Khaibari provides security for the defense line, allowing Ronaldo and the rest of the attackers freedom of movement in the attacking third to threaten Al-Shabab’s goal.

The Al-Ettifaq coaching staff, led by English manager Steven Gerrard, received a significant morale and tactical boost ahead of their anticipated and challenging match against the league leaders, with the official confirmation of Slovakian professional Ondrej Duda's availability for upcoming games. The player displayed a reassuring level of physical and technical ability during his active participation in the team's group training session, declaring his complete readiness to compete against Al-Hilal in the top match of the round in the Saudi Professional League.

The Slovakian playmaker has been suffering from a troublesome hamstring injury sustained during his team's match against Al-Kholoud in the 18th round of the league. This injury sidelined him for a significant period, causing him to miss three crucial matches for the Eastern Province team against Al-Ahli, Al-Taawoun, and Damac, which somewhat impacted the team's tactical options in midfield.

Duda's return is of paramount importance at this particular time, given the strength of the opponent and the crucial stage of the league. Facing Al-Hilal, who are performing exceptionally well this season, demands complete mental and physical readiness from all the team's key players. Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq are always classics that attract a large audience both locally and regionally, due to the rich history of both clubs and the star players on each team. Therefore, the return of a key player like Duda is a significant factor in boosting Al-Ettifaq's chances of achieving a positive result.

Al-Ettifaq is scheduled to be a tough opponent for Al-Hilal at 6:25 PM next Friday, in a match that falls within the 22nd round of the Roshan League. Al-Ettifaq enters the match in sixth place in the standings with 35 points, hoping to improve its position and move closer to the top four. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal sits atop the league table with 50 points, aiming to continue its winning streak and widen the gap with its pursuers to secure the title.

Al-Ettifaq fans hope that the return of the Slovakian star will help restore balance to the midfield and connect the lines, especially against a team that has the strongest midfield in the competition, which promises a high-class tactical match between the two sides.

In a surprising turn of events within the corridors of the Saudi Al-Ittihad Club, reliable French press reports revealed dramatic shifts in the future of the team's Portuguese coach, Sergio Conceição, and the possibility of him leaving the "Dean's" stronghold to return to European stadiums via the French League, specifically to coach Olympique Marseille for the remainder of the current 2025/2026 season.

Details of the French offer and Conceição's position

The renowned French newspaper L'Équipe dropped a bombshell in a report published Wednesday, confirming that Conceição has expressed great enthusiasm and responsiveness to the idea of ​​taking over as head coach of Olympique de Marseille. The report indicated that the Portuguese coach voiced his strong confidence in and admiration for the prestigious French club's sporting project, putting Al-Ittihad's management in a difficult position mid-season.

Sources indicate that the management of Marseille club is currently considering two prominent names to take over the technical task and save the team’s season: Sergio Conceicao and coach Habib Beye. The management is seeking to resolve the matter quickly to ensure technical stability.

Marseille's situation and the challenges of the French league

Marseille's interest in signing a coach of Conceição's caliber comes amidst the fierce competition in Ligue 1 this season. The southern French club currently sits fourth in the standings with 39 points after 21 rounds. They are looking to close the gap on the top teams, as they are only 3 points behind third-placed Lyon and 10 points behind second-placed Lens, while Paris Saint-Germain leads the table by 12 points. This makes Champions League qualification the team's primary objective at present.

Conceição's journey with Al-Ittihad... Will it end quickly?

This news has caused concern among Al-Ittihad fans, especially since the 51-year-old coach hasn't been in charge for very long. Conceição took over the reins at Al-Ittihad in October 2025 and has led the team in 23 matches across all competitions. During this period, the team has won 13 matches, drawn 4, and lost 6.

Analysts believe that Conceição's departure at this time may disrupt the calculations of the Jeddah club, which seeks to compete for local and continental titles, especially in light of the large investments and high expectations for the Saudi Professional League project, making the next few days crucial in determining the fate of the coaching staff of the club.