In an attempt to salvage the season and write a new chapter in the history of the Catalan club, Barcelona's stars have revived an iconic emblem associated with one of the greatest nights in European football history, aiming to boost morale and instill enthusiasm in both fans and players. This psychological and morale-boosting move comes amidst the near-impossible task facing the team: overturning a heavy 4-0 deficit against their stubborn rivals, Atlético Madrid, in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, striving to achieve another remarkable comeback to add to the club's record books.

Recalling the spirit of 2017... the night of the miracle

The Catalan newspaper Sport reported that the Barcelona dressing room witnessed a revival of the famous phrase coined by Brazilian star Neymar Jr.: “1% probability, 99% belief .” These words were not just a passing remark, but rather the fuel that spurred the team on in 2017 after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. At that time, few believed in Barcelona's ability to turn things around, but the team responded in the second leg with a historic 6-1 victory on a memorable night at the Camp Nou, capped by Sergi Roberto's decisive goal that ignited a wave of jubilation in Catalonia.

The new generation campaign led by Rafinha and Yamal

It's not just about reminiscing; current generation stars are leading a widespread motivational campaign across social media platforms to ignite the spirit of challenge. Brazilian star Rafinha and rising talent Lamine Yamal are at the forefront, with Rafinha posting the slogan on his X account, accompanied by a poignant message in Catalan: "We are counting on you," a direct message aimed at inspiring fans to be the 12th man in this crucial match.

The challenge of Atlético Madrid and the importance of the match

This match is of paramount importance to Barcelona, ​​not only because it's the gateway to the cup final, but also because a comeback against a team as defensively solid as Atlético Madrid presents a completely different challenge. Historically, Atlético is known for its ability to close down spaces and hold onto leads, making scoring more than four goals a daunting task requiring double the effort and unwavering focus for the full 90 minutes. However, players like Pedri and Ferran Torres believe that Barcelona's DNA contains the genes for a comeback, and that repeating the 2017 scenario is not impossible if the team's efforts are combined with the roar of the fans.

Barcelona’s success in achieving this comeback will not just be a victory in a match, but will be a strong message to rivals both domestically and in Europe that the team has the strong character capable of overcoming the most difficult circumstances, which is what the coach and fans are counting on to save the season with an important domestic title.

All eyes of football fans in the Kingdom and beyond will be on Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea, as the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) hosts the highly anticipated Jeddah derby between arch-rivals Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad next Friday evening, as part of the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League. This encounter comes at a crucial juncture in the competition, where the battle extends beyond just three points, encompassing another kind of struggle related to the market and financial value of the players, based on the latest statistics from Transfermarkt, the global network specializing in football economics.

Jeddah derby in an era of great sporting transformation

This season's Jeddah derby has acquired exceptional significance, transcending the traditional historical rivalry between the two giants. The match reflects the qualitative leap Saudi sports are undergoing and the massive investments made by clubs to attract top international stars. This transformation has made the Al-Ahli vs. Al-Ittihad clash a focus of international media attention. The match is no longer merely a local rivalry, but has become a major marketing platform for the Saudi Professional League, showcasing the development of the technical and financial infrastructure of Saudi clubs and their ability to attract prominent names from Europe's top five leagues.

Al Ahly: A squad packed with stars and a high market value

Al-Ahli enters this summit clash armed with a star-studded roster that enhances its technical and marketing value. This investment in talent reflects a clear desire to compete at the highest level.

The list of Al Ahly's most valuable players is topped by young French defender Enzo Millot, with a market value of €28 million, making him a cornerstone of the team's future project. He is closely followed by Brazilian winger Galinho, valued at €22 million, on whom Al Ahly fans are placing high hopes for making a difference from the flanks.

In attack, English striker Ivan Toni as the third most expensive player at €20 million, a figure that reflects his goal-scoring threat inside the box. The back line is bolstered by Brazilian Roger Ibañez (€17 million), the solid Turkish defender Merih Demiral (€14 million), the young talent Valentin Atanga (€15 million), and Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié (€12 million), forming a core that combines experience with high market value.

Al-Ittihad... The Dean bets on global quality

On the other side, Al-Ittihad Club, “Al-Ameed,” is no less important in terms of financial and technical strength, as it possesses an arsenal of players capable of turning the tide at any moment, which makes the financial balance very close.

French winger Moussa Diaby the list of most valuable players at Al-Ittihad with a market value of €28 million, tied with his counterpart at Al-Ahli, highlighting the intense individual and collective competition. He is joined in this status by Moroccan international striker Youssef En-Nesyri and Portuguese midfielder Roger Fernandes , each valued at €22 million.

In midfield, the experienced Brazilian star Fabinho Tavares at a value of 13 million euros, followed by the Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn , the young defender Carlo Simic and the striker George Elenikina , each valued at 12 million euros, giving the coach diverse, high-quality tactical options.

Impact of the result on the league race

Beyond the statistics and the Euros, this match holds immense importance in the Roshan League standings. With the league reaching its 25th round, making up ground becomes extremely difficult, and points are crucial in the calculations for Asian Champions League qualification and the title race. The similar market values ​​(28 million Euros for the most expensive player on each team) suggest a closely contested match that will hinge on small details, with the outcome going to the team that is more focused and clinical in front of goal.

List of Al Ahly's most expensive players (in Euros)

• Enzo Melot: 28 million
• Galeno: 22 million
• Ivan Toni: 20 million
• Roger Ibanez: 17 million
• Valentine Atanga: 15 million
• Merih Demiral: 14 million
• Franck Kessie: 12 million

List of Al-Ittihad's most expensive players (in Euros)

• Moussa Diaby: 28 million
• Youssef En-Nesyri: 22 million
• Roger Fernandez: 22 million
• Fabinho Tavares: 13 million
• Steven Bergwijn: 12 million
• Carlo Simic: 12 million
• George Ilyinkina: 12 million

Young French defender Jeremy Jacquet, who recently joined Liverpool FC, is preparing to undergo urgent surgery in the next few days, following a serious injury he sustained while playing for his current team, Rennes, in February.

These medical developments come in conjunction with Liverpool's preparations for a tough and crucial match against Wolverhampton on Tuesday evening, as part of the 29th round of the English Premier League, where the Reds are seeking to improve their position in the standings.

Details of Jeremy Jacquet's injury and Bayan Reine's statement

French club Rennes announced in an official statement that their central defender, Jérémy Jacquet, will undergo surgery to treat a serious injury to his left shoulder. The player sustained the injury during a heavy challenge in his team's match against Lens, forcing him to leave the field early and not complete the game. After undergoing a series of thorough medical examinations and scans, the medical staff determined that surgery was necessary to ensure a full recovery and prevent future recurrence of the injury.

High-level coordination between Liverpool and Rennes

Reliable press reports indicate that Liverpool's management played a key role in the decision to proceed with the surgery, with the English club expressing a strong desire to expedite the procedure. Liverpool's aim in this haste is to utilize the remaining time of the current season for the rehabilitation process, ensuring the new defender is 100% fit to begin pre-season training with his new teammates at Anfield.

The importance of the deal and the challenges of the English Premier League

This medical step is of paramount importance given the value of the deal Liverpool secured, having signed the Rennes center-back for a hefty £80 million, making him the team's first signing in preparation for the new season. The Reds' management understands that the Premier League demands exceptional physical fitness, especially for defenders who face intense physical challenges, making a thorough treatment of the shoulder injury a top priority before the player integrates into the Premier League.

According to initial indications and medical reports, Jeremy Jacquet is expected to be out of action until the end of the current season, effectively ending his career with Rennes, and beginning to focus entirely on his recovery and preparation for his debut in a Liverpool shirt next summer.