The coaching staff of Al-Ittihad's first football team, led by veteran Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, has largely settled on the starting lineup for their upcoming match against Qatari side Al-Sadd. This match is part of the final round of the group stage in the AFC Champions League, where Al-Ittihad aims to reaffirm its continental prowess.

Match details and date

Al-Ittihad will be a tough opponent for Al-Sadd in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Tuesday evening, in a match that carries special significance despite the mathematical aspects of the tie being settled. Al-Ittihad officially secured their place in the knockout stages (Round of 16) after an impressive run in the group stage, where they amassed 12 points, reflecting the technical stability the team enjoys under the leadership of coach Conceição.

Al-Ittihad's expected lineup against Al-Sadd

Based on recent training sessions and the Portuguese coach's tactical vision, Al-Ittihad is expected to enter the match with a lineup that combines experience and young talent to ensure balance. The predictions are as follows:

• Goalkeeper: Rajkovic.
• Defense line: Muhannad Al-Shanqiti, Danilo Pereira, Ahmed Sharahili, Hassan Kadash.
• Midfield: Houssem Aouar, Fabinho, Doumbia.
• Attack line: Abdulaziz Al-Bishi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Rogers Fernandez.

The importance of the match and the continental context

Although the match is considered a formality in terms of Al-Ittihad's qualification, it holds significant importance both psychologically and tactically. Coach Conceição aims to use this encounter to prepare his players for the crucial knockout stages and to test various tactical approaches against a strong opponent like Al-Sadd of Qatar on their home ground and in front of their fans. Al-Ittihad also aims to finish the group stage in the best possible way to send a strong message to their rivals in Asia.

History of the Federation in Asian Championships

Al-Ittihad boasts a rich history in Asian championships, having previously reigned supreme in the continent twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005 – an achievement still etched in the memories of Saudi and Asian fans. Participation in the current edition of the AFC Champions League, under its new name and format, presents a golden opportunity for the club to reclaim its continental glory and compete strongly for the title, especially given the significant reinforcements the team has received with the addition of world-class stars such as Fabinho, Houssem Aouar, and Youssef En-Nesyri.

Matches between Saudi and Qatari clubs are always the focus of attention for fans due to the high level of competition and similar technical levels, promising an enjoyable football match befitting the reputation of the two great teams at the end of this round.

Ajax Amsterdam have suffered a major blow after officially announcing that their Ukrainian player, Oleksandr Zinchenko, has sustained a serious knee injury, effectively ending his season prematurely. This shocking news comes just one month after the player joined the Dutch giants on loan from Arsenal during the winter transfer window, in an attempt to revive his career this season.

The Dutch club issued an official statement detailing the medical aspects of the injury, confirming that thorough examinations at the hospital revealed the urgent need for knee surgery. The statement indicated that the recovery period would be lengthy, confirming Zinchenko's absence for the remainder of the season. The injury occurred at a particularly inopportune time, specifically in the opening minutes of the match against Fortuna Sittard at the Johan Cruyff Arena, forcing the player to leave the field in pain.

This injury marks another chapter of suffering for the Ukrainian star this season, as his journey has been unstable from the start. Zinchenko began the season on loan at Nottingham Forest from his parent club Arsenal, but the experience proved unsuccessful, leading to the termination of the loan in January. He then moved to the Netherlands hoping to secure more playing time and rediscover his previous form.

Unfortunately, Zinchenko's time at Ajax was cut short, as he only managed two appearances, failing to score or assist in either match, before an injury prematurely ended his Dutch spell. This injury raises serious questions about his future with his parent club, Arsenal, especially since loan spells are often an opportunity for players to prove themselves and increase their market value – something that Zinchenko failed to achieve this season due to adverse circumstances.

It's worth noting that Zinchenko has a distinguished career in European football, having previously shone for Manchester City, winning numerous domestic titles in England before his move to Arsenal. His transfer to Ajax was seen as a golden opportunity to add international and professional experience to the young Dutch team, but the specter of injuries that plagues footballers had other plans, depriving Ajax of a key tactical asset at a crucial stage of the season.

Al-Fateh's first football team is experiencing one of its most complex and difficult periods this season in the Saudi Professional League. The team, nicknamed "The Model," has entered a dark tunnel of negative results, suffering a seven-match winless streak in Al-Ahsa since their last victory on January 13th against Al-Riyadh.

The results collapsed and the points counter stopped

Since then, Al-Fateh's winning streak came to a complete halt, transforming the team from a fierce competitor aspiring to top positions into one that bleeds points round after round. During a run of approximately 630 minutes of actual play, Al-Fateh faced seven crucial matches, failing to secure a single victory, settling instead for disappointing draws and crushing defeats. This resulted in the team's decline to tenth place in the standings with 24 points, a position that neither reflects the club's history nor the ambitions of its management and fans.

Historical context and the status of the "model"

This setback is particularly significant given Al-Fateh's history, a club that etched its name in gold in Saudi football history when it won the exceptional league title in the 2012-2013 season, breaking the monopoly of the major clubs. Al-Fateh has always been known for its technical and administrative stability and its ability to challenge the established giants. However, the current situation is causing concern among its fans, especially in light of the tremendous development the Saudi league is witnessing and the influx of international stars, making any decline in performance extremely costly and potentially pushing the team into the relegation zone.

Details of the technical fall and defensive errors

The crisis began with a positive draw against Al-Najma (1-1), followed by a sudden and shocking collapse at home in front of their fans with a heavy defeat against Al-Kholoud (5-2). This match sounded the alarm and revealed a clear fragility in the defensive system and poor positioning. The suffering did not end there, but continued with a loss to Al-Fayha (2-0).

Despite a glimmer of hope in their thrilling 2-2 draw against Al-Ittihad, a match in which Al-Fateh displayed impressive attacking prowess, the team subsequently dropped points with draws against Al-Hazm (1-1) and Al-Qadisiyah (1-1), before suffering a heavy 2-0 defeat against Al-Nassr. These inconsistent results under Portuguese coach José Gomes raise serious questions about the players' mental fortitude in maintaining a lead and their focus during crucial moments.

Expected impact and the need for correction

This continued loss of points not only threatens Al-Fateh's position in the mid-table but also places immense psychological pressure on the coaching staff and players. The Saudi league in its current format is unforgiving to those who falter, and the points gap in the middle of the standings can shrink rapidly. Therefore, it has become imperative for the club's management and the coaching staff, led by Gomez, to conduct a comprehensive and swift review, not only tactically and to address the fatal defensive errors, but also in terms of psychological preparation to restore the "champion's mentality" and return to winning ways before it's too late.

Results of Al-Fateh's last 7 league matches:

• Al-Najma 1 – Al-Fath 1
• Al-Fath 2 – Al-Khulud 5
• Al-Fayha 2 – Al-Fateh 0
• Al-Fateh 2 – Al-Ittihad 2
• Al-Fath 1 – Al-Hazm 1
• Al-Qadisiyah 1 – Al-Fateh 1
• Al-Fateh 0 – Al-Nasr 2