The coaching staff of Al-Ittihad's first football team received a tremendous morale and tactical boost after the official confirmation that their outstanding right-back, Muhannad Al-Shanqiti, is fit to participate in the highly anticipated match against Qatari side Al-Gharafa. This confirmation came after the player participated fully and enthusiastically in the team's training session held on Sunday evening, demonstrating his complete readiness to represent "Al-Ittihad" in this continental competition.

A sense of unease had gripped Al-Jazira fans after Al-Shanqiti suffered an injury during the intense derby match against Al-Nassr in the previous round of the Saudi Professional League. The injury forced him to be substituted and unable to finish the game. However, the player's rapid recovery and physical readiness proved the success of his short rehabilitation program, making him a valuable asset for the coach ahead of the Asian competition.

Al-Ittihad Stadium is set to host this Gulf-Asian derby against Al-Gharafa at 9:15 PM next Tuesday, as part of the decisive seventh round of the group stage in the current edition of the AFC Champions League. This match is of paramount importance to both teams given the fierce competition for qualification to the knockout stages.

Al-Ittihad enters the match with its sights set on three points to solidify its position in the group standings. Before this game, the team sits in sixth place with nine points, a position it aims to improve to secure a more favorable draw in the upcoming rounds. Meanwhile, Al-Gharafa of Qatar occupies ninth place with six points, making this a crucial six-pointer. A victory for Al-Gharafa could significantly alter the standings, while an Al-Ittihad win would bring them a major step closer to comfortable qualification.

This encounter carries dimensions that extend far beyond just three points, as Al-Ittihad, a club with a rich history and two consecutive Asian titles (2004 and 2005), seeks to reclaim its continental glory in the new edition of the "Elite" tournament. The return of key players like Muhannad Al-Shanqiti is crucial in maintaining the team's defensive balance and offensive support, especially in matches that demand high concentration and mental focus for the full ninety minutes against experienced opponents like the Qatari clubs.

Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi has made his final decision regarding the goalkeeper position for the upcoming match against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. This decision comes at a crucial time as the Asian champions seek to continue their winning streak and solidify their position at the top of the continental standings.

Inzaghi has definitively decided to start goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie in Al-Hilal's goal for this crucial match, which will be played tomorrow, Monday, at the Emirati team's stadium. Al-Rubaie is the primary option to compensate for the forced absence of Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who has been ruled out of the match by the coaching staff.

Medical reports indicate that Yassine Bounou's absence is due to a shoulder injury, which prevented him from participating in the team's recent group training sessions. This necessitated resting him to prevent further injury and to prepare him for upcoming matches. This absence places a significant responsibility on Mohammed Al-Rubaie, who is eager to prove his worth and deliver a performance worthy of Al-Hilal fans' expectations in this major continental competition.

This match holds particular significance in the context of the AFC Champions League title race, as Al-Hilal is considered one of the favorites to win the championship, given its illustrious history and dominance of Asian football in recent years. The Blue Wave aims to demonstrate its technical and physical superiority in this encounter, securing the three points necessary to top the group and gain an advantage in the upcoming knockout stages.

On the other hand, matches between Saudi and Emirati clubs always carry a special flavor of rivalry and excitement. Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai boasts exceptional players and will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to achieve a positive result against the Club World Cup runners-up. However, Inzaghi's squad enters the match with victory as their sole objective, bolstered by their players' extensive experience in handling the pressure of away matches in Asian tournaments, promising a high-level tactical contest between the two sides.

Manchester City secured a dramatic and valuable 2-1 victory over their stubborn hosts Liverpool in a thrilling encounter on Sunday evening, as part of the 25th round of the Premier League. This match once again underscores the intense rivalry that characterizes matches between these two teams, with the outcome remaining uncertain until the final moments.

Match details and exciting scenario

The match was characterized by its competitiveness and tactical caution in the first half and for most of the second, as each team sought to impose its control in midfield. Liverpool managed to break the deadlock and take the lead with a goal after 74 minutes, scored by their star player Dominic Szoboszlai, leading everyone to believe that the three points were secured for the home side.

However, Manchester City, known for their fighting spirit and refusal to give up, fought back strongly. In the 84th minute, Portuguese star Bernardo Silva scored the equalizer, bringing the game back to square one and igniting the excitement in the remaining minutes.

Haaland decides the match and the refereeing drama

As the match drew to a close, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland appeared to snatch a dramatic winning goal in the 93rd minute from a penalty kick, expertly executed, giving his team a precious lead. The drama didn't end there, however, as the referee disallowed a third goal for Manchester City, scored by Rayan Cherki, after consulting VAR, leaving the score at 2-1.

The final moments were very tense, resulting in the red card being shown and Liverpool player and scorer of the only goal, Dominik Szoboszlai, being sent off in the (90+13) minute, leaving Liverpool to finish the final seconds with ten players.

The teams' positions in the standings and the impact of the result

With this strategic victory, Manchester City increased their points tally to 50, strengthening their hold on second place and continuing their fierce pursuit of league leaders Arsenal. The gap has narrowed to just six points, intensifying the title race in the upcoming rounds. This win sends a strong message from City that they will not relinquish the title race easily.

On the other hand, Liverpool's situation worsened as their points tally remained at 39, leaving them stuck in sixth place. This loss is a significant blow to the Reds' ambitions of climbing into the top four and competing for qualification to major European competitions, putting the coaching staff and players under immense pressure to get back on track in the upcoming matches.

This match embodies the highly competitive nature of football, where the course of events can change in a matter of minutes, and confirms that the struggle for the title and advanced positions will remain fierce until the very last moment of the competition.