The turbulent wave of managerial changes continues in Saudi football, with the current 2025/26 Saudi Professional League season yet another chapter in the dismissal of coaches. Earlier on Sunday evening, Al-Najma Mario Silva , citing a string of poor results that had placed the team in a precarious position.

This decision comes amidst a dire results crisis plaguing Al-Najma, with statistics revealing the team's complete inability, under Mario Silva's leadership, to secure a single victory. In the 20 matches played this season in the Roshan League, the team suffered defeat in 15 and managed only five draws, leaving them at the bottom of the table with a meager five points. This dismal performance made the dismissal of Silva a widely anticipated outcome within the club, as they desperately sought a way to salvage the situation before it was too late.

Mario Silva's case is not unique in this difficult season; rather, it reflects the ongoing phenomenon of "coach dismissals" that has affected many big names. Silva is the fifth coach to be sacked this season, highlighting the immense pressure on coaching staff in the Saudi league, which has become a focus of global attention.

He was preceded on the list of departing coaches by four others whose names and histories were not enough to save them from the language of results:
1. Laurent Blanc (Al-Ittihad Club).
2. Michel Gonzalez (Al-Qadisiyah Club).
3. Javier Calleja (Al-Riyadh Club).
4. Paulo Sergio (Al-Akhdoud Club).

These successive dismissals reflect the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League, where clubs strive by all means to maintain their position and avoid relegation, or to compete for top spots. Mid-season coaching changes are a double-edged sword, often used by club management to create a positive shock in the locker room and motivate players to return to winning ways. This is what Al-Najma's management hopes to achieve in the remaining rounds to salvage the team's season.

The medical staff of Al-Hilal Saudi Club officially announced the nature of the injury suffered by the Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, the guardian of the "Leader's" goal, which raised the concern of Al-Hilal fans after the team's last match against Al-Akhdoud in the previous round of the Roshan Professional League, which was held at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports Stadium.

Details of Al-Hilal Club's official statement

In an official statement published on its verified Twitter account, the Riyadh-based club confirmed that Yassine Bounou underwent intensive treatment for his shoulder injury. The statement explained that the pain the Moroccan goalkeeper complained of necessitated rest and a rehabilitation program, meaning he will definitely miss the upcoming crucial match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE in the AFC Champions League.

The anticipated alternative and the challenge of the AFC Champions League for the elite

With the absence of the "Atlas Lion," all eyes are on goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie, who has become the first and most likely choice to defend Al-Hilal's goal in the Asian competition. Al-Rubaie faces a significant challenge in compensating for the absence of a goalkeeper of Bono's caliber and experience, especially in a tournament as prestigious as the AFC Champions League, a title Al-Hilal is determined to compete for strongly this season, aiming to extend its record as the most decorated club in Asia.

The importance of Yassine Bounou and the impact of his absence

The absence of Yassine Bounou is a significant blow to the team of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, given the immense value the goalkeeper has brought to the squad since joining from Sevilla. Bounou has been an impenetrable wall in goal and has directly contributed to Al-Hilal's consecutive victories, thanks to his extensive international experience and outstanding performances, both with his club and with the Moroccan national team at the 2022 World Cup. This injury comes at a crucial time in the season, with domestic and continental competitions overlapping, putting Al-Hilal's bench strength and the professionalism of its medical staff to the test in preparing the players and maintaining their winning streak.

Al-Hilal officials and players are striving to overcome the obstacle of absences and focus entirely on achieving victory and seizing the three points in the match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, to ensure a strong and stable start in the continental journey, and to please the blue fans who accept nothing less than gold as an alternative.

Ticket sales platforms for the match between Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad and Qatar's Al-Gharafa are witnessing unprecedented demand, with Al-Ittihad fans racing against time to secure their seats for the highly anticipated clash in the AFC Champions League. Initial indications suggest that tickets for the match, to be held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) in Jeddah, are nearly sold out hours before kickoff.

Al-Ittihad is scheduled to host Al-Gharafa at 9:15 PM on Tuesday, in the seventh round of the group stage of the current edition of the continent's premier club competition. This match is of particular importance given the timing and the teams' positions in the standings, as Al-Ittihad seeks to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to strengthen their position and secure comfortable qualification for the knockout stages.

Looking at the statistics, Al-Ittihad enters the match in sixth place in the West Zone standings with nine points, accumulated from a mix of wins and losses, while Al-Gharafa sits in ninth place with six points. This encounter is considered a "six-pointer," as a victory for Al-Ittihad would bring them significantly closer to securing a place among the top eight, while a loss for Al-Gharafa could severely complicate their chances of remaining in contention, especially since the new tournament format stipulates that only the top eight teams from each group advance to the Round of 16.

Historically, the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) has always been a fortress for Al-Ittihad, where the passionate and overwhelming fans create an intimidating atmosphere for their opponents. This massive turnout is a continuation of the strong fan support the team enjoys in continental competitions, reflecting the fans' desire to see their team return to the Asian podium.

On a technical level, this match represents a true test of both teams' abilities amidst the fierce competition of the newly revamped AFC Champions League. Saudi and Qatari clubs have a long history of exciting football rivalries, and their encounters are always characterized by intense competition, thrilling matches, and a high number of goals, making this evening's football spectacle a treat for fans of the beautiful game across Asia.