Al-Ahli Saudi FC faces a significant challenge when they travel to Abu Dhabi to take on Al-Wahda in a highly anticipated Gulf derby as part of the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. The match will be held at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, where Al-Ahli will be looking to reaffirm their continental dominance despite the team's current struggles.

Al-Ahli's list of absentees against Al-Wahda

Al Ahli's squad for this crucial match will be missing several key players, potentially impacting the options available to German coach Matthias Jäsle. The absence of Galeno Wenderson from the matchday squad has been confirmed due to a recent injury. He is still undergoing intensive treatment and rehabilitation, which has kept him out of group training and official matches.

Meanwhile, the team's defensive woes continue with the absence of Turkish international defender Merih Demiral for the match against Al Wahda of the UAE. Demiral's absence stems from his incomplete physical and technical readiness, leading the coaching staff to prefer not to risk him in this crucial encounter to ensure his full recovery for upcoming matches.

Yasle's ambitions and morale for a local victory

Al-Ahli enters the match with high morale after securing an important victory in their last league match against Al-Hazm, winning 2-0. Coach Matias Jääsle aims to capitalize on this positive momentum to continue their winning streak, both domestically and continentally, especially since the new format of the AFC Champions League requires accumulating as many points as possible to guarantee a high ranking in the knockout stages.

The importance of the meeting in the continental context

This match holds special significance given the long-standing rivalry between Saudi and Emirati clubs in Asian competitions, where these encounters are always characterized by intense competition and passionate fan support. Al-Ahli hopes to overcome the absence of key players and return with a positive result that strengthens its position in the West Asian group standings and confirms its strong return to the competition for Asian supremacy, relying on its rich history and large fan base, which expects it to go far in this newly established edition of the tournament.

Al-Ettifaq fans are experiencing a state of intense anticipation and growing anxiety as they await the decisions of the Saudi Professional League's Sustainability Committee regarding the contract renewal of veteran Dutch star Georginio Wijnaldum. These concerns stem from the club's strong desire to maintain stability within its technical and administrative staff.

The Dutch midfielder's current contract with Al-Ettifaq expires at the end of the 2025-2026 season, making time a crucial factor in determining his future. The club's management has submitted a formal request to the Sustainability Committee, the body responsible for overseeing the financial and contractual aspects of clubs to ensure fairness and financial solvency, to renew his contract. The management is currently awaiting approval to finalize the deal officially.

Shared desire and distinctive numbers

It is worth noting that negotiations between the club and the player are progressing very positively, with Georginio Wijnaldum expressing a strong welcome and initial agreement to remain with the club and continue his career with the team. This positive reception reflects the stability and comfort the Dutch star feels in Dammam, and his alignment with the club's sporting project.

On the technical level, Wijnaldum is delivering remarkable performances this season, having directly contributed to 16 goals for Al-Ettifaq in this season's competitions, scoring 12 goals and creating 4 other goals for his teammates, making him one of the most influential midfielders in the league and one of the indispensable pillars in the team's lineup.

General context and importance of renewal

This move by Al-Ettifaq's management comes as part of Saudi clubs' efforts to retain their international stars, who were brought in to raise the market and technical value of the Saudi Professional League. Wijnaldum, who arrives with extensive experience from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, is considered a vital element in the club's plans to compete for top positions.

The sustainability committee plays a pivotal role at this stage, as its regulations aim to ensure clubs do not exceed their allocated budgets, thus preventing future debt crises. Therefore, the committee's approval is not merely a formality, but rather a testament to the club's financial solvency to cover the costs of the new contract without disrupting its financial stability.

Keeping Wijnaldum would not only be a technical asset on the pitch, but his influence would extend to being a leader and mentor to the team's younger players, who would benefit from his vast international experience. Al-Ettifaq fans hope this matter will be resolved quickly to ensure the team's full focus on the remaining matches of the season and to continue building for the future.

Al-Ettifaq fans are experiencing a mixture of anticipation, anxiety, and hope as they await the decisions of the Saudi Professional League's Sustainability Committee regarding the contract renewal of veteran Dutch star Georginio Wijnaldum. This intense interest stems from the high level of skill and talent the player brings to the "Knights of Ad-Dahna" squad.

Contract details and waiting for the green light

According to sources close to the club, Wijnaldum's current contract expires at the end of the 2025-2026 season. The club's management has promptly submitted a formal request to the Sustainability Committee, the body responsible for reviewing clubs' financial commitments and ensuring they align with allocated budgets, to extend the contract. The management is currently awaiting official approval to finalize the process, especially given the player's mutual desire and full support to remain with the club and continue his project with the team.

Wijnaldum's numbers... a key pillar in Al-Ettifaq's lineup

Al-Ettifaq's decision to retain the Dutch player was no coincidence, but rather a result of his outstanding performances this season. The Dutch star directly contributed to 16 goals for Al-Ettifaq, scoring 12 and assisting on 4 others, making him one of the most important attacking players and a key midfield driver in coach Steven Gerrard's squad.

General context: Draft agreement and the development of the Roshan cycle

Al-Ettifaq's efforts to retain its star players, such as Wijnaldum, are part of the club's strategy to keep pace with the rapid development of the Saudi Professional League. Since the launch of the Kingdom's ambitious sports project, attracting and retaining international stars has become a benchmark for competitiveness. Wijnaldum, who boasts extensive experience in European football with clubs like Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, represents the experience and leadership the team needs to ensure technical stability and compete for top positions in the league standings.

The role of the sustainability committee and the importance of the decision

The approval of the Sustainability Committee is of paramount importance in the current Saudi sports landscape. The committee aims to ensure the financial stability of clubs and prevent them from incurring obligations beyond their financial capabilities, thus enhancing the professionalism of the league. Al-Ettifaq fans are hoping for a swift approval to resolve this issue, especially since retaining a player of Wijnaldum's caliber strengthens the league both commercially and technically, and reinforces the stability that Al-Ettifaq currently enjoys.