All eyes in Saudi football will be on the Kingdom Arena next Friday evening, as Al-Hilal's first team prepares for a highly anticipated and crucial match against Al-Ettifaq, as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This match comes at a time when "The Boss" (Al-Hilal) is aiming to continue its winning streak and solidify its position at the top of the standings, taking advantage of playing at home in its new stronghold, which has become a formidable fortress for the team.

Al-Hilal received a significant morale and tactical boost ahead of this match, with the confirmed return of their solid international defender, Hassan Tambakti, after serving his suspension. Tambakti missed the previous game against Al-Akhdoud due to accumulated yellow cards, forcing adjustments to the back line. His return now represents a major asset to the starting lineup, which the coaching staff relies on in crucial matches.

Hassan Tambakti is a cornerstone of Al-Hilal's defensive system, forming a harmonious and formidable partnership with Senegalese professional Kalidou Koulibaly. Coach Simone Inzaghi relies heavily on this duo to secure the back line and build attacks from the back, given Tambakti's speed in covering and his exceptional ability to win back possession without committing fouls. This provides the team with tactical balance, allowing the full-backs and midfielders to push forward and contribute to the attack with greater ease.

Al-Hilal enters the match with sky-high morale, buoyed by their resounding 6-0 victory over Al-Akhdoud in the previous round, a match that showcased their formidable attacking prowess. Coach Inzaghi's staff aims to capitalize on this excellent form to establish early control against Al-Ettifaq, a tough opponent with their own ambitions to improve their league position, promising a high-level tactical battle between the two sides.

This match holds particular importance in the context of the league title race, as Al-Hilal needs all three points to secure their lead and widen the gap with their closest rivals, especially as the competition enters its decisive stages where there is no room for error. A massive crowd is expected at the Kingdom Arena to support the team and celebrate the return of their key players, creating an electric atmosphere befitting the prestige of the Roshan Professional League, which has garnered global attention.

The group training of the first football team of Al-Nasr Saudi Club witnessed the return of the Portuguese star and team captain Cristiano Ronaldo, after the end of the temporary crisis that kept him away from the scene during the past few days, so that the “Madeira Rocket” returned to run again on the green grass in preparation for the upcoming challenges.

Ronaldo’s appearance at the club headquarters confirms his technical and physical readiness and his involvement in the intensive preparations that “Al-Nassr” is conducting in preparation for the anticipated match against Al-Fateh Club, which comes within the competitions of the twenty-second round of the Saudi Professional League, where the team seeks to continue its winning streak and compete strongly for the top spot in the standings.

A significant absence and a welcome return

Cristiano Ronaldo had missed Al-Nassr's recent group training sessions for personal reasons, raising some questions in sporting circles. However, his swift return in the past few hours has reassured Al-Nassr fans, who rely heavily on him to decide crucial matches. This absence comes after Al-Nassr secured a valuable and well-deserved victory in their last "Clásico" match against their arch-rivals, Al-Ittihad, with a score of 2-0. In that match, the team demonstrated its resilience and ability to achieve positive results even in the absence of its captain.

Ronaldo's impact on the Roshan League and Al-Nasr's journey

There is no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo's return represents a tremendous morale boost for his teammates and the coaching staff, given the Portuguese legend's exceptional skill and leadership qualities. Since joining Al-Nassr in a historic transfer that reshaped the football landscape in the region, Ronaldo has not only been a goalscorer but has also become an inspirational icon, contributing to raising the market value and competitiveness of the Saudi league and drawing global attention to Saudi stadiums.

The upcoming match against Al-Fateh is of paramount importance in the title race, as this season's Roshan League is characterized by fierce competition and a close level of performance among the top clubs. Al-Nassr understands that dropping any points could prove costly in the league race, and therefore, having a player of Ronaldo's experience and caliber is crucial for unlocking opposing defenses and capitalizing on even half-chances.

In conclusion, Al-Nassr fans are eagerly awaiting the return of their captain to lead the team's attack against Al-Fateh, hoping that this return will be the beginning of a new series of goals and victories that will bring the team closer to local and continental championships.

Fahad Sindi, chairman of Al-Ittihad Club, put an end to the speculation circulating in Saudi sports circles regarding his future with the Jeddah-based club, categorically denying all recent reports about his intention to resign. This came in the wake of a wave of fan anger due to the first football team's poor performance in domestic and continental competitions, which placed the administration under immense pressure.

Holding onto responsibility in the face of storms

In official statements released by the club, Sindi affirmed his complete commitment to the club's project, likening the situation to a ship's captain who doesn't abandon ship amidst the storms. Sindi said, "I never considered resigning. Our plan is clear, and our strategy is long-term. We've weathered many storms and upheavals, and that's part of the world of football, but that doesn't mean abandoning ship and running away from responsibility. We will continue working and keep improving.".

These statements come to restore relative calm to the Al-Ittihad club, as administrative stability is considered a crucial factor in the ability of major clubs to overcome setbacks and return to the podium, especially in light of the fierce competition witnessed in the Saudi Professional League.

Behind the scenes of the administrative disputes and the dismissal of Laurent Blanc

The federation president addressed rumors of divisions within the board, clarifying the fundamental difference between personal disagreements and differing professional viewpoints. He emphasized that a healthy work environment necessitates the exchange of opinions, stating, "There are no disagreements within the administration; there are only differences of opinion, which is normal and healthy. The decision that generated the most disagreement and discussion was the replacement of the previous coaching staff, led by French coach Laurent Blanc.".

The decision to dismiss a coach of Laurent Blanc's stature is a pivotal one that requires administrative courage, given the coach's great history, but the interest of the entity ultimately prevailed.

The role of sports management and the selection of Conceição

Regarding purely technical aspects, Sindi revealed the pivotal role played by the sporting management, led by Domingos Suarez, in evaluating the previous phase. Sindi explained: "The sporting management, under Suarez's leadership, provided me with a detailed technical report indicating that the team's pre-season training camp fell short of expectations and did not adequately prepare the players for the demanding season.".

He concluded by explaining the difficulty of the situation, saying, "The decision to replace Laurent Blanc was the most difficult I've faced since assuming the presidency, but we chose the Portuguese coach, Conceição, after a thorough evaluation and a meticulous list of candidates. We are confident that he is the right man for the next phase to restore Al-Ittihad to its rightful place." Conceição is expected to bring about a qualitative leap in the team's performance, leveraging his extensive experience and strong personality, which are well-suited to the demands of the current stage at Al-Ittihad.