The coaching staff of Al-Ittihad Club, led by Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, received a tremendous morale and tactical boost just hours before the highly anticipated match against their arch-rivals, Al-Hilal. This welcome news comes as the "Dean" prepares for the top match of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, scheduled to be held at Al-Inma Stadium amidst great anticipation from fans.

Al-Ittihad's squad for the Clasico sees the return of two key players: winger Abdulrahman Al-Aboud and Dutch international Steven Bergwijn. Al-Aboud's return comes after he resolved his recent dispute with coach Conceição, signaling a return to stability in the dressing room. Meanwhile, Bergwijn has received medical clearance to play after fully recovering from the injury that sidelined him in previous matches, making him a potent attacking option for the Portuguese coach.

Al-Ittihad enters this match with relatively high morale after successfully returning to winning ways in the last round, securing a hard-fought and valuable 2-1 victory against Al-Fayha at Al-Inma Stadium. Conceição and his teammates will be looking to capitalize on this resurgence to achieve a positive result against the league leaders and defending champions, aiming to improve their position in the standings and appease their fans after a series of inconsistent results.

The importance of El Clásico and its impact on the league

The matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal hold special significance that transcends mere three points; they represent the "Saudi football classic," attracting widespread regional and international attention, especially given the remarkable growth of Saudi sports and the influx of top international stars. This match is a true test of Al-Ittihad's ability to return to serious contention, and a test of Al-Hilal's resilience in maintaining its domestic dominance.

Historically, matches between the two teams are characterized by their competitiveness and excitement, with small details and physical and mental readiness often playing a decisive role in determining the winner. The return of Al-Aboud and Bergwijn is expected to be a crucial factor in diversifying Al-Ittihad's attacking options, especially given Al-Hilal's strong defense, promising a high-level tactical battle between the two coaches.

The Al-Ittihad fans hope that this match will be a real turning point in the team's journey this season, as a victory over a rival of Al-Hilal's stature will give the team a huge morale boost to complete the remaining rounds of the league with a high fighting spirit, and confirm Al-Ittihad's status as one of the pillars of Saudi and Asian football.

Leeds United secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup after a marathon match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, narrowly defeating Championship side Birmingham City. The match, played on Sunday as part of the fourth round, ended 1-1 after extra time, with Leeds winning 4-2 on penalties.

A dramatic scenario and luck smiles on Leeds

Leeds United came within a hair's breadth of securing qualification during regulation time, taking the lead through a goal by German striker Lukas Nmecha in the 49th minute, giving them a slight advantage throughout the second half. However, Birmingham refused to give up, with substitute Patrick Roberts scoring a dramatic equalizer in the 89th minute, forcing the match into extra time and then a penalty shootout.

In the penalty shootout, Leeds players displayed remarkable composure, successfully converting all four of their penalties through Dutchman Joel Perrault, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, American Brendan Ironson, and Sean Longstaff. Birmingham, on the other hand, were unlucky, missing two penalties taken by Tommy Doyle and equalizer Patrick Roberts, thus allowing Leeds to avoid an early exit.

The importance of qualification and the context of the competition

This victory is doubly important for Leeds United, who are struggling in the Premier League and fighting fiercely to avoid relegation. This qualification comes as a huge morale boost for the players and fans, as the team is now just one step away from reaching the quarter-finals of the most prestigious competition in football history – an achievement the club hasn't reached since 2003. Cup matches are considered a historic opportunity for struggling league clubs to regain confidence and achieve glory that compensates for the disappointments of the domestic season.

Wolverhampton escapes the trap of the "giant killers"

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers, bottom of the Premier League, narrowly avoided relegation with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over fourth-tier Grimsby Town. The match was far from easy, especially considering Grimsby had been the surprise package of the season, having earlier knocked out Manchester United, earning them a reputation as "giant killers.".

Wolverhampton Wanderers owe their qualification to Uruguayan defender Santiago Bueno, who scored the only goal of the game in the 60th minute, sparing his team embarrassment and ensuring their continued participation in the competition. These results underscore the fiercely competitive nature of the FA Cup, where the technical gap between Premier League and lower-league clubs blurs, adding a special kind of excitement to the tournament.

Attention will later turn to the match between Arsenal and Wigan from the third tier, to complete the list of qualifiers in this exciting round.

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.