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Ramon Planes makes his decision regarding Al-Hilal's offer after Al-Ittihad's victory

Al-Ittihad's sporting director, Ramon Planes, denies rumors of his move to Al-Hilal and confirms he will stay with Al-Ittihad after the resounding 7-0 victory over Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League.

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Ramon Planes, Sporting Director of Al-Ittihad Club

Spaniard Ramon Planes, the sporting director of Al-Ittihad Club, put an end to the recent rumors about the possibility of him leaving the "Dean's" stronghold to take up a similar position at Al-Hilal Club, following his team's resounding victory over Al-Gharafa of Qatar.

Planes confirms his commitment to the Union project

In media statements following the match, Planes categorically denied any negotiations with Al-Hilal, emphasizing his strong commitment to Al-Ittihad and its sporting project. "I love Al-Ittihad and I want to stay here," Planes said, putting an end to the speculation that had worried Al-Ittihad fans, and dismissing any suggestion of negotiating to take over as Al-Hilal's sporting director in the near future.

These statements come at a sensitive time, as reports indicate that the management of Al-Hilal Club, headed by Prince Nawaf bin Saad (according to the source), wants to officially resolve the issue of the sporting director, as part of the club’s plans to strengthen its administrative and technical structure with international talent.

A resounding victory and a powerful artistic message

Planes' comments coincided with a historic night for Al-Ittihad, as the team thrashed their Qatari visitors, Al-Gharafa, 7-0 in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. This resounding victory was more than just three points; it was a powerful message to their rivals in Asia, confirming the "Tigers'" readiness to compete for the continental title.

The importance of administrative stability in the Saudi project

The continued presence of Ramon Planes in his position is of paramount importance to Al-Ittihad, especially given the major transformations taking place in Saudi football. Planes, who possesses extensive experience in European football and has previously worked with major clubs such as Barcelona, ​​is considered one of the key architects of Al-Ittihad's recent transfer dealings. Having a sporting director with his experience ensures the continuity of the club's technical project, the ability to attract international talent, and the smooth functioning of the team, free from administrative turmoil.

The rivalry between the two poles and the impact of rumors

Transfer news between Saudi Arabia's two football giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, always garners significant media and public attention, whether the transfers involve players or administrative and technical staff. Stability in the sporting director position is a cornerstone for clubs seeking domestic and continental dominance, which explains Al-Ittihad's insistence on retaining Planes and Al-Hilal's desire to bring in a big name to the role.

With this statement, Planes closes the door to speculation, directing his full focus towards achieving the federation's goals for the current season, and competing strongly on all local and Asian levels.

The Saudi News Network first launched on Twitter via its official account, @SaudiNews50, and quickly became one of the Kingdom's leading independent news sources, thanks to its fast and reliable coverage of major local and international events. Due to the growing trust of its followers, the network expanded by launching its website, a comprehensive news platform offering regularly updated content in the fields of politics, economics, health, education, and national events, presented in a professional style that meets the public's expectations. The network strives to enhance public awareness and provide accurate information in a timely manner through on-the-ground reporting, in-depth analysis, and a specialized editorial team, making it a trusted source for anyone seeking up-to-the-minute Saudi news.

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Today's matches, February 11, 2026: Liverpool vs. City and a German derby

Check out the schedule of matches for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in the English Premier League, the Spanish Cup, and the German Bundesliga. Details of the Basque derby and the Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig clash.

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Today's match schedule

Football fans around the world will be glued to their screens this Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as Europe's football scene is packed with crucial and exciting matches. A host of important games across various leagues and domestic cups are scheduled for today, promising a feast of football for fans worldwide.

This time of year is of paramount importance for clubs, as competitions enter their crucial stages, whether in accumulating points for the English Premier League or in the knockout rounds of the Spanish, Italian, and German cup competitions. We present the full details and schedules in the following paragraphs.

English Premier League fixtures today

The Premier League is packed with action today, as Manchester City look to maintain their usual dominance, while Liverpool face a tough away fixture in a highly anticipated match. This round is crucial in shaping the title race and determining the European qualification spots.

  • 10:30 Manchester City vs Fulham
  • 10:30 Crystal Palace vs Burnley
  • 10:30 Aston Villa vs Brighton (An anticipated tactical clash between two teams that play modern football).
  • 10:30 Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton
  • 11:15 - Sunderland vs Liverpool (a match with a special fan atmosphere at the Stadium of Light).

Basque derby summit in the Spanish King's Cup

In Spain, breath is held for one of the most prestigious rivalries in Spanish football history, the Copa del Rey. The Basque derby is more than just a football match; it's a clash steeped in cultural and historical significance between the two fiercely competitive neighbors.

  • 11:00 Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad

Matches between Bilbao and Sociedad are always characterized by high competitiveness and strong physical clashes, especially in the Cup tournament, which is a major objective for both clubs to save the season or crown their efforts with a valuable title.

Today's Italian Cup matches schedule

Italian football is strongly present tonight through the Cup, as the usual tactical excitement continues in Italian stadiums.

  • 11:00 Bologna vs Lazio

Lazio will be looking to confirm their superiority and go far in the tournament, while Bologna will be aiming to take advantage of home ground and crowd support to pull off a surprise and eliminate the Eagles of the capital.

Clash of the Titans in the German Cup

The evening's football action concludes in Germany, where the German Cup (DFB-Pokal) features an early final that brings together traditional and modern power in the Bundesliga.

  • 10:45 Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig

The clash between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig is considered one of the strongest matches on the European scene right now, given the high technical quality of both teams. Bayern will be looking to impose their usual style of play, while Leipzig will be trying to prove their ability to compete with the big teams and secure a place in the next round.

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Houssem Aouar scores a historic hat-trick for Al-Ittihad against Al-Gharafa in a 7-0 victory

Houssem Aouar led Al-Ittihad to a resounding 7-0 victory over Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League, scoring the fourth hat-trick in the club's history in the Asian competition. Here are the details.

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Houssem Aouar, Al-Ittihad star

On an unforgettable football night at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, the brilliant Algerian star in the ranks of Al-Ittihad Saudi Club, Houssem Aouar, continued to write his name in gold in the records of the Jeddah club, during the current edition of the AFC Champions League for the 2025/2026 season.

The historic seven-goal night against Al Gharafa

Aouar led Al-Ittihad to a resounding and historic 7-0 victory over Qatari side Al-Gharafa on Tuesday night in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League. The Algerian star not only contributed to the team's playmaking but also brilliantly displayed his scoring prowess, netting a hat-trick and cementing his status as one of Al-Ittihad's most successful signings this season.

Aouar joins the list of Al Ittihad legends

With this remarkable hat-trick, Houssem Aouar etched his name in Al-Ittihad's continental history, becoming only the fourth player in the club's history to score a hat-trick in a single AFC Champions League match. Aouar joins a list of club legends who have preceded him in this feat, namely:

  • Marzouq Al-Otaibi: The legendary striker known for his decisive touches.
  • Naif Hazazi: The falcon who has always delighted Al-Ittihad fans with his headers and goals.
  • Mohammed Noor: The immortal legend and historic leader of Al-Ittihad Club and one of the most prominent architects of its Asian glory.

Aouar's inclusion in this list reflects the rapid and powerful impact the player has had since joining the team, and his ability to shoulder responsibility in big matches.

Houssem Aouar's impressive numbers this season

In terms of numbers, the 27-year-old proves himself a key pillar of Al-Ittihad's squad. In the AFC Champions League, Aouar participated in five matches, scoring five goals and providing one assist, all within 395 minutes of play, demonstrating his high goal contribution relative to the number of minutes played.

As for the overall level of all competitions in the current season, the Algerian star participated in (19) matches wearing the Al-Ittihad jersey, during which he scored (8) goals and made two goals for his teammates, with a total of (1479) minutes of playing time, which makes him one of the most effective and influential players in the team’s attacking system.

A strongly worded message to the competitors

This resounding 7-0 victory confirms Al-Ittihad's readiness to compete strongly for the Asian title, a tournament in which the club boasts a rich history as a former champion in 2004 and 2005. This impressive win significantly boosts the team's chances of comfortably qualifying for the knockout stages and sends a strong warning to all their rivals in Asia that "Al-Ittihad" is determined to reclaim its continental glory.

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Conceição comments on Al-Ittihad's seven-goal thrashing and the departure of Benzema and Kanté

Al-Ittihad coach Sergio Conceicao commented on the resounding 7-0 victory against Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League, revealing the impact of Benzema and Kante's departure on the team's unity.

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Sergio Conceicao, Al-Ittihad coach

Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of Al-Ittihad's first football team, expressed his immense happiness and pride in the heroic performance of his players, which culminated in a resounding and historic 7-0 victory over Qatari side Al-Gharafa. This came during the match between the two teams in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage, held at Al-Inma Stadium.

Conceição's comments on the attacking performance

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Conceição emphasized that the resounding victory was not a fluke, but rather the result of hard work and consistent effort. He said, "We achieved a well-deserved victory today against Al-Gharafa of Qatar. The team has always tried and reached the opponents' goal in previous matches, but we suffered from a lack of luck in the final touch. Today, we succeeded in converting our chances into goals, and this is an indication that the team is on the right track and will continue to work at this upward pace.".

Dealing with the departure of star players and team unity

In a related context, the Portuguese coach addressed the changes to the squad, specifically the departure of stars like Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté, a matter that has raised many questions in sporting circles. Conceição commented clearly, saying: "Yes, two great leaders have left, but we have many leaders within the dressing room. The most important thing for us is to be a united team and to understand our responsibility towards the badge.".

He added, stressing the importance of the mental aspect: "As players, we want to be united with the coaching staff and the fans. The most important thing is to have a clear mind, as every team in the world may go through problems or changes, but the lesson lies in the ability to come back and continue to achieve victories regardless of the names.".

The context of the victory and its importance in the AFC Champions League

This result is particularly significant given the nature of the AFC Champions League, the most prestigious tournament in Asia. The 7-0 victory reflects the impressive physical and technical preparation of Al-Ittihad, nicknamed "The Dean." This triumph further solidifies the position and dominance of Saudi clubs on the Asian football scene, sending a strong message to their opponents in the knockout stages that Al-Ittihad is a serious contender for the continental title.

Conceição concluded his remarks by praising the crucial role of the fans, emphasizing: "I did not ask the players to score this many goals, but the good performance and high concentration led us to this result. The fans are the real reason for the fighting spirit and the wonderful feeling we have achieved, and we promise them that we will continue to work in this way during the coming period to make them happy.".

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