In a decisive tactical move reflecting the coaching staff's desire to finalize preparations before major continental matches, Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad Club, made the immediate decision to include winger Abdulrahman Al-Aboud in the squad for the upcoming clash against Qatar's Al-Sadd. Al-Ittihad is preparing to host their Qatari counterparts in a highly anticipated match, the eighth and final round of the group stage in the AFC Champions League.

The end of the crisis and the return of technical stability:
Conceição's decision to sign Abdulrahman Al-Aboud represents a positive turning point in the player's career with the team this season, signaling the end of the crisis that kept him out of action recently. Al-Ittihad fans had been anxiously awaiting news of the player's future, given his high technical abilities and speed, which offer a significant attacking option. This move confirms that the Portuguese coach is seeking to turn over a new leaf based on discipline and performance on the pitch, aiming to utilize all available resources to ensure competitiveness on all fronts.

The importance of facing Al Sadd and Al Ittihad's continental aspirations:
The Al Ittihad vs. Al Sadd match takes on paramount importance, transcending its status as a mere group stage fixture; it is a classic encounter between two of West Asia's top clubs. Al Ittihad is seeking nothing less than victory to extend its winning streak and solidify its position at the top of the group, thus securing an advantage in the knockout stage draw. A win against a formidable opponent like Qatar's Al Sadd would send a powerful message to its rivals that Al Ittihad is determined to reclaim its continental glory and seriously compete for the AFC Champions League title, a trophy that has eluded the club since 2005.

With high morale and a formidable attacking force,
Al-Ittihad enters the match with sky-high spirits, bolstered by their recent impressive results. The source highlighted the team's resounding 7-0 victory (a testament to their current attacking prowess). This offensive momentum, coupled with the return of a key player like Al-Aboud, puts Conceição's squad in an excellent position to impose their style of play in the match, which will be held at their home stadium in front of their passionate fans. The supporters hope this decision marks the beginning of a period of lasting stability that will return the "Tigers" to the Asian podium.

The first team of Al-Hilal football club witnessed the notable absence of Brazilian professional Marcos Leonardo during their group training session, as the team prepares for their upcoming match against Al-Wahda of the UAE. This encounter is part of the eighth round of the group stage of the AFC Champions League, a tournament the club is prioritizing in its quest to reclaim the continental title.

According to sources within the club, the real reason behind Marcos Leonardo's absence from the group training session is a strict technical and administrative decision. Coach Simone Inzaghi has instructed the player to train individually, which confirms his continued exclusion from the squad for the upcoming match. This escalation comes as part of an ongoing crisis between the player and the coaching staff.

Reports indicate that Simone Inzaghi's decision to exclude Leonardo was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a continuation of a series of exclusions that have seen the player left out for the fifth consecutive match across various domestic and continental competitions. The primary reason for this exclusion is the player's firm refusal to leave Al-Hilal during the winter transfer window, which has placed the coaching staff in a position where disciplinary and tactical decisions are necessary to maintain stability within the dressing room.

In a broader context, Al-Hilal is facing a period of significant challenges amidst fierce competition on all fronts. The upcoming match against Al-Wahda is of paramount importance, not only for qualification and securing the top spot in the AFC Champions League, but also for maintaining the team's upward trajectory. Al-Hilal aims to achieve victory in this encounter to continue its positive run of results, which directly impacts player morale as they strive to maintain their lead in the Roshan Professional League standings this season.

Historically, Al-Hilal has always been distinguished by its ability to separate internal crises from match results, with the "Blue Fortress" considered a model of administrative professionalism. However, the issue of foreign players and their excessive numbers remains a persistent headache for the technical staff of major clubs. Inzaghi is attempting to address this firmly to impose technical discipline within the squad and ensure that every player is ready to serve the team's strategic objectives both domestically and continentally.

German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of the Al-Ahli Saudi FC first team, has finalized his squad selection for the upcoming match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE. It has been officially confirmed that Turkish professional Merih Demiral has been excluded from the squad for this crucial match, which is part of the eighth round of the AFC Champions League group stage.

Yassle's decision to exclude the Turkish defensive stalwart was based on reports from the medical and fitness staff, indicating that the player is not fully fit and ready for a match of this magnitude. Sources confirmed that Demiral has not participated in the team's group training sessions recently, making the German coach unlikely to risk him in such a crucial game, preferring to rely on the fittest players to ensure the required performance.

Merih Demiral is suffering from the effects of a muscle injury sustained recently, which has kept him out of Al-Ahli's recent matches in both domestic league competitions and continental tournaments. The medical staff is working to fully prepare the player for the upcoming stages of the season to ensure the injury does not recur.

This match is of paramount importance to Al-Ahli, as the team looks to continue its strong performances in the current edition of the AFC Champions League. This tournament, in its new format, has become a focal point for Asia's elite clubs, and Al-Ahli aims to capitalize on home advantage and the support of its fans to secure a victory and claim all three points. This would solidify their position in the West Zone standings and reaffirm their determination to seriously contend for the continental title, which has eluded the club for some time.

For its part, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai enters the match with great ambitions, making the encounter a “Gulf derby” with an Asian flavor, requiring the Yassla squad to have the highest levels of focus and tactical discipline to compensate for the absence of one of the most prominent elements of the back line.