Veteran Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri, the new technical director of Saudi club Al-Shabab, expressed his dissatisfaction with his coaching career being confined to the category of “rescue coach,” in his first comment after officially taking over the technical leadership of the “Lions” squad, succeeding Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil, who recently left his position due to declining results.

In media statements following the signing of the contracts, Ben Zekri revealed details of the negotiations that preceded his return to the Saudi League, emphasizing that the decision was not made on the spur of the moment. Ben Zekri said, “The negotiations with Al-Shabab’s management lasted a full month, and I took my time before making the decision. I rejected several offers from other Saudi clubs because I am not looking to repeat the experience of ‘saving the team from relegation’ that was associated with my name in the past.”.

The Algerian coach added confidently: “Anyone who describes me as just a rescue coach is very wrong and is ignorant of the details of my technical work. My recent experience with Al-Kholoud Club, which lasted for eight months, was the best proof of my ability to build a strong team and compete with stable and big clubs like Al-Ettifaq, Al-Fateh, Al-Khaleej and Al-Fayha, and not just struggle to survive.”.

A rich history in Saudi stadiums

Al-Shabab's signing of Ben Zekri stems from his extensive experience in Saudi football, having previously coached Al-Raed, Al-Fayha, and Damac. He earned the nickname "the rescue coach" after his miraculous successes in keeping Al-Fayha and Damac in the Pro League after they were on the brink of relegation, cementing this image among fans and the media. However, this time, the "son of the desert" has ambitions that extend beyond mere survival.

Project to restore the prestige of “Al-Layth”

Regarding his ambitions with the Saudi club, Ben Zekri concluded his remarks by saying: “Al-Shabab is a great and prestigious club, with a large fan base and a history studded with gold. I have returned here for a big and ambitious project, and my main goal is to restore the Lions to their natural position at the top of the standings, and to deliver technical levels that befit the history of this great entity.”.

The management and fans of Al-Shabab Club are counting on Noureddine Ben Zekri’s strong leadership personality and his well-known ability to motivate players and impose tactical discipline to lift the team out of its current slump and return it to the path of victories in the Saudi Roshan League, especially in light of the fierce competition that the tournament is witnessing this season.

European football stadiums experienced another stormy night with the theme of “racism”, as Brazilian star Vinicius Junior launched a scathing attack on those he described as “cowards”, after accusing Benfica player, Gianluca Brestiani, of directing racist insults at him during the match between Real Madrid and their Portuguese hosts in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 play-off.

Details of the incident and the match being stopped

The match, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid thanks to a goal by Vinicius himself, was interrupted for more than ten minutes, a first in UEFA's strict implementation of its anti-racism protocol. The incident began when Vinicius approached French referee François Letixsier, complaining that he had been subjected to a racist slur (mono – meaning monkey in Spanish) by Argentine player Prestiani, who had covered Vinicius's mouth with his shirt during the altercation.

Following the match, Vinicius erupted in anger on his Instagram account, saying: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to cover their mouths with their shirts to show how weak they are.” He added, criticizing the leniency of the punishments: “But they enjoy the protection of others who are supposed to be responsible for imposing punishment,” emphasizing that what happened should never be tolerated.

A history of conflict with racism

This incident is not an isolated event in the Brazilian star's career, but rather the latest chapter in a long series of abuses he has suffered. The historical context of Vinicius's ordeal stretches back several seasons, most notably the infamous incident at the Mestalla stadium against Valencia in May 2023, which sparked widespread international condemnation. Furthermore, Spanish courts previously handed down suspended prison sentences to Atlético Madrid fans who hung an effigy of the player in an act classified as a hate crime. These accumulated experiences have made Vinicius a global icon in the fight against racism in sports, lending significant weight to his statements and reactions.

Reactions: Between denial and absolute support

In response, Gianluca Prestiani categorically denied the accusations, claiming that Vinicius had misunderstood what he heard. He stated on social media, "I have never been racist, and I apologize for the threats I have received." His club, Benfica, and his coach, José Mourinho, supported him. Mourinho criticized Vinicius's goal celebration in front of the opposing fans, deeming it provocative, and commented, "Something is wrong, because in every stadium Vinicius plays, something always happens.".

On the other side, Real Madrid players rallied behind their teammate. Trent Alexander-Arnold described the incident as "disgusting" and a disgrace to football. Kylian Mbappé called for strict measures, saying, "This player doesn't deserve to play in the Champions League again." Captain Federico Valverde cleverly pointed to the gesture of covering the mouth, interpreting it as evidence of saying something shameful that cannot be uttered aloud.

Expected impact and future of sanctions

This incident is particularly significant given that it occurred in the world's biggest club competition, placing UEFA under immense pressure to take concrete action beyond financial penalties. The recurrence of such incidents threatens the image of European football and negatively impacts the mental health of players, potentially leading to stricter sporting regulations in the near future, including point deductions or exclusion from tournaments, to ensure a clean and hate-free sporting environment.

Al-Ittihad fans endured hours of intense anticipation and anxiety, awaiting news on the fate of international defender Hassan Kadash and his availability for the crucial upcoming match against arch-rivals Al-Hilal. These legitimate concerns arose after the "Dean's" defensive stalwart suffered a worrying injury during his participation in the team's recent match against Al-Sadd of Qatar, which took place at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium as part of the eighth round of the AFC Champions League.

Details of Hassan Kadash's injury and his status for El Clásico

In a positive development that has reassured fans, sources close to the club revealed to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi the final medical diagnosis of the player's injury. Reports confirmed that Hassan Kadash suffered only a minor bruise that is not a cause for concern, and that he has successfully recovered. Consequently, the player is now fully fit, both physically and technically, to start in Al-Hilal's upcoming match , making him a valuable asset for the coaching staff in this crucial encounter.

The importance of Kadesh in Conceição's tactics

Kadesh's presence is a cornerstone of Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição's , as he relies heavily on him to control the back line. The player's importance is amplified by his successful defensive partnership with professional Danilo Pereira; the coach depends on this duo to secure the defensive depth and counter Al-Hilal's formidable attacking arsenal. Therefore, Kadesh's availability is welcome news, boosting the team's chances of keeping a clean sheet or minimizing the threat on their goal.

A morale boost after Al Sadd's four goals

Al-Ittihad enters the derby with sky-high morale, drawing strength from their resounding continental victory over Qatar's Al-Sadd by a score of 4-1. This win was more than just three points in the AFC Champions League; it was a powerful message to their rivals, confirming that the "Tigers" have regained their prestige and attacking prowess, something the team aims to capitalize on both tactically and psychologically when they face Al-Hilal.

The Saudi Clasico: A battle that transcends points

The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Hilal match carries strategic and historical significance that transcends the mere three points; it is the "Saudi Arabian football classic," attracting a massive following across the Arab and Asian football scenes. The match comes at a crucial juncture in the season, with each side striving to assert its dominance and prove its worthiness to compete for domestic titles. Therefore, the return of key players like Hassan Kadash is a decisive factor in the balance of power, bolstering the aspirations of Al-Ittihad fans to see their team deliver a performance worthy of its illustrious history and achieve a positive result that breaks any recent dominance of their rivals.