The coaching staff of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad club received a significant morale and tactical boost ahead of their highly anticipated match, with the confirmation that two key players, Frenchman Moussa Diaby and Portuguese Roger Fernandes, are fit and available for selection against Qatar's Al-Gharafa. Al-Ittihad is preparing to host their Qatari counterparts in a thrilling Gulf derby as part of the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage (West Group), with the match scheduled to take place at Al-Inma Stadium.

The return of injured players revitalizes Al-Ittihad's training sessions

Al-Ittihad's recent group training sessions saw the active participation of Moussa Diaby and Roger Fernandez, confirming their full recovery and availability for the upcoming continental competition. The good news wasn't limited to this duo, as they were joined by full-back Muhannad Al-Shanqiti, a key player making a strong comeback after a period of absence due to injury that sidelined him from previous matches. This completes the squad of valuable assets the team is relying on in this crucial stage.

An attempt to reconcile with the fans after the league setback

Al-Ittihad enters this match with its sights set on nothing less than three points, not only to bolster its position in the Asian Champions League but also to appease its large fan base. This comes after the team's recent setback in the Roshan Professional League, where it suffered a heavy defeat against its traditional rival, Al-Nassr, by a score of 2-0. The Al-Gharafa match represents an ideal opportunity for the players to regain confidence, get back on track, and prove that the derby stumble was merely a temporary setback.

The importance of the tournament and the history of the continental federation

This match holds special significance as it falls within the new format of the AFC Champions League, which features the elite clubs of Asia. Al-Ittihad boasts a rich history in this competition, having won the continental title twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005 – an achievement that always places positive pressure on the current generation to compete fiercely for the title and reclaim Asian glory.

A Gulf derby with an Asian flavor

Regionally, matches between Saudi and Qatari clubs are always fiercely contested and exciting, considered a mini-Gulf derby within the Asian arena. Qatari side Al-Gharafa is a formidable opponent, making the return of Al-Ittihad stars like Diaby and Fernandez a tactical necessity to unlock their defense. Al-Ittihad fans are counting on the speed and skill of this duo to make the difference and secure a victory for their national team.

The British newspaper "Mirror" has revealed a major surprise in the world of football, by disclosing serious and intensive moves by the management of the Saudi Al-Nasr club to sign the Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, the winger of Liverpool FC, during the current winter transfer window or next summer at the latest.

Details of the phenomenal financial offer

According to the British report, Saudi negotiators are preparing an irresistible financial offer to convince the "Egyptian Pharaoh" to leave Anfield. Figures indicate that Mohamed Salah's salary could triple from his current earnings in England, reaching an astronomical £1.2 million per week. This figure would make Salah one of the highest-paid players in football history, surpassing many of the world's top stars.

Cristiano Ronaldo succession plan

These moves are part of a strategic plan by Al-Nassr and Saudi Pro League officials to make Mohamed Salah the "new face" of the Saudi sports project. Reports indicate that signing Salah is a precaution against the potential departure of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, or to provide him with the ideal partner should he stay. However, the newspaper focused on the idea of ​​a "replacement" who will carry the torch of the league globally in the coming years.

Background of the negotiations and the conflict between Saudi clubs

The interest of Saudi clubs in Mohamed Salah is not new. In previous transfer windows, Al-Ittihad (the Dean) came very close to securing the deal, submitting huge official offers to Liverpool. However, the insistence of manager Jürgen Klopp and the Reds' management on keeping the player prevented the transfer from going through at that time. Today, Al-Nassr has entered the negotiations strongly, capitalizing on reports suggesting that Salah may not renew his contract with Liverpool and the player's desire for a new challenge, especially given the team's inconsistent results and overall decline in performance at times.

The marketing and public importance of the deal

Mohamed Salah's move to the Saudi League is not merely a technical acquisition to bolster Al-Nassr's squad; it carries enormous marketing implications. Salah is considered the foremost Arab icon in European football, and his presence in the Saudi League will enhance the competition's market value and attract the attention of millions of football fans in Egypt, the Arab world, and globally, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to develop the sports sector and elevate it to the ranks of the world's best.

Amid an atmosphere charged with anticipation and anxiety within the corridors of St. James' Park, English coach Eddie Howe, manager of Newcastle United, came out to defend his position and his sporting project, confirming on Monday that he still has the passion and ability to be the right person to lift the team out of its current predicament, while stressing at the same time that he would not hesitate to leave if he felt unable to achieve the desired goals.

The team, owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, is experiencing one of its most difficult periods, having suffered its third consecutive defeat in the English Premier League. The latest loss was a 2-3 defeat to Brentford on Saturday, preceded by heavy losses to Liverpool (1-4) and Manchester City (1-3). The statistics reflect the extent of the struggles, as the team has only managed one victory in its last eight matches across all competitions, placing the manager under intense scrutiny.

In a press conference ahead of the anticipated and difficult match against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday in the twenty-sixth round of competition, Howe said: "I don't think the performance was as bad as the results suggest. Statistically, we are still a strong team and we deliver competitive performances in every match, but the results certainly did not reflect that effort, especially given that the schedule of matches was very difficult.".

A history of achievements speaks in the coach's favor

To understand the context of Howe's tenure, we must go back a little, specifically to November 2021, when he took over shortly after the Saudi fund's acquisition of the club. At that time, the Magpies were battling relegation, but Howe managed to turn things around, leading the team not only to survival but also to a return to the Champions League. He capped his tenure by winning the League Cup in 2025, the first domestic title for the club in seventy years, earning him considerable favor with both the fans and the management.

Despite Newcastle currently sitting in 12th place with 33 points, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, 48-year-old Howe insists that his "inner spark" is still burning. He explained: "That feeling isn't something I assess daily; it's an inner conviction. As long as that feeling remains, I'll give it my all. If I didn't believe I was the right person, I would have stepped aside and let someone else take over.".

Squad challenges and the transfer market

The decline in results cannot be separated from the complex circumstances the team has recently faced. The club endured a turbulent summer marked by the departure of Swedish striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool following his strike, which created a significant attacking void. Despite the club's acquisition of new strikers such as Congolese forward Yoane Wissa and German forward Nick Wolltemade, they still need time to adapt to the Premier League.

The crisis is compounded by a spate of injuries that have struck key players, most recently the trio of Brazilian midfielders, captain Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, and English striker Anthony Gordon. Despite these significant absences, Howe believes the situation can be "turned around very quickly" if the team regains its balance and confidence in upcoming matches.