In statements reflecting the spirit of leadership and responsibility, English star Ivan Toni, striker for the first football team of Al-Ahli Saudi Club, confirmed that collective titles remain his ultimate goal with “Al-Raqui”, preferring them over any individual achievements or personal records, before the anticipated match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE.

Al-Ahli is preparing for a tough and crucial match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, in the eighth and final round of the AFC Champions League group stage, to be held at Al-Inma Stadium. This match comes at a time when the Jeddah-based team is aiming to reaffirm its continental dominance and secure a high ranking in the group.

Tony raises the challenge slogan: Championships first

Speaking to the media before the match, Toni delivered a powerful message to fans and rivals, saying: "The top scorer title? I'm ready to sacrifice all my goals and go back to zero, in order to win championships with Al Ahly at the end of the season." This statement reflects a highly professional mindset, as the player prioritizes the team's interests above all else, understanding that history is remembered by championships, not just the number of goals scored.

Evan Toni's terrifying numbers this season

Despite his willingness to sacrifice goals, the statistics confirm the brilliance of the English striker. Ivan Toni is leading the charge in the Roshan Professional League this season, making a dominant presence in attacking thirds. According to current statistics, he has scored 20 goals and provided 5 assists for his teammates, bringing his total goal contributions to 25, making him a key player in Al Ahli's attack.

The context of the competition and the importance of the AFC Champions League for elite players

The match between Al-Ahli and Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai holds special significance, not only because it is the final round of the group stage, but also because it is part of the newly revamped AFC Champions League. This tournament is the premier club competition in Asia, and Saudi clubs, especially Al-Ahli, are striving to assert their dominance and demonstrate the tremendous progress Saudi sports are witnessing thanks to unlimited support. This makes competing for the continental title a strategic objective no less important than domestic titles.

Tony's statements reinforce the confidence of Al-Ahly's fans, who aspire to see their team return to the podium, especially given the presence of a constellation of international stars capable of making a difference in major events.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad Club issued an official statement detailing the medical condition of their French star, Moussa Diaby, just hours before their highly anticipated match against Qatar's Al-Sadd. The announcement came after the player underwent a series of thorough medical examinations under the supervision of the club's medical staff to assess his fitness and determine his availability for upcoming matches.

Medical examinations revealed that the French winger is suffering from a contusion in his left hip. Based on the diagnosis, the medical staff decided to develop a special treatment and rehabilitation program for the player, along with a comprehensive daily assessment of his physical condition to ensure his return to the field in peak condition and to prevent the injury from worsening during this crucial stage of the season.

In a related development, the Al-Ittihad team delegation departed Monday evening for Doha, Qatar, in preparation for their crucial match against Al-Sadd on Tuesday evening. The match will be held at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, as part of the eighth and final round of the West Zone group stage in the 2025-2026 AFC Champions League.

Al-Ittihad enters this match with extremely high morale, as the team is enjoying a period of technical stability and positive results. They officially secured their qualification for the Round of 16 after a stunning performance in the previous round, where they thrashed Qatari side Al-Gharafa 7-0, a result that reflected the team's formidable attacking prowess. With this victory, Al-Ittihad raised their points tally to 12, occupying fifth place in the overall standings for the West Zone.

On the other hand, the match is of paramount importance to Qatari club Al Sadd, currently in eighth place with eight points. The Qatari team will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to secure a victory and guarantee their place among the top eight, thus ensuring qualification for the next round. This adds a fierce competitive edge to the encounter, despite Al Ittihad having already secured their place in the next stage.

Matches between Saudi and Qatari clubs are always fiercely contested and exciting in Asian tournaments, with each side striving to assert its dominance. For Al-Ittihad, the match represents an opportunity to improve their final league position, potentially giving them an advantage in the knockout stage draw, while Al-Sadd is fighting for its survival in the continent's most prestigious club competition.

In the latest chapter of the endless drama and controversy plaguing Italian football, Gianluca Rocchi, head of the Serie A referees' committee, issued a rare and official apology following the tumultuous events of the "Derby d'Italia" between arch-rivals Inter and Juventus. The match, which ended in a 3-2 defeat for Juventus thanks to a 90th-minute goal from Polish midfielder Piotr Zielinski, was more than just a casual football encounter; it devolved into a battleground that dominated headlines due to controversial refereeing decisions.

Formal apology and admission of error

With the unequivocal statement, "We are very sorry for the incident," Rocchi acknowledged the egregious error made by referee Federico La Penna in the 25th round of Serie A. The controversy centered on the sending off of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu in the 42nd minute, after he received a second yellow card for a foul deemed "imaginary" against Alessandro Bastoni. Rocchi explained to the Italian news agency ANSA that the decision was clearly wrong, adding that referee La Penna was deeply upset by what had transpired.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology dilemma

What further complicated matters was the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol. Since the referee issued a second yellow card and not a straight red, the VAR room could not intervene to correct the decision according to the applicable rules, forcing Juventus to play with ten men for more than a half. Media outlets confirmed that Kalulu's first yellow card was harsh, while the second was a clear dive by Bastoni, who also deserved a red card as he already had a yellow card.

A history of animosity and behind-the-scenes tension

This error takes on added significance given the historically tense rivalry between the two clubs. The Inter-Juventus match is known as the "Derby d'Italia" and carries a long legacy of animosity, especially with past accusations from Inter that Juventus is "the referees' team." Cameras captured a tense atmosphere in the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms, where Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti and club officials, including Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli, were seen vehemently confronting the referee, potentially exposing themselves to sanctions.

Repercussions for the Italian national team

The controversy wasn't confined to the clubs; it extended to the Italian national team, the Azzurri, as they prepare for the European playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. Calls grew louder for Bastoni's exclusion from the squad due to his unsportsmanlike conduct, with journalist Alessandro Giacoboni criticizing the player's behavior as contrary to the team's values. Nevertheless, reports indicate that coach Gennaro Gattuso will rely on him in the crucial match against Northern Ireland, amidst fan concerns about the impact this negative attitude could have on their World Cup qualification hopes.

A clash of legends: Del Piero and Chivu

Football legends have weighed in on the crisis, with Alessandro Del Piero strongly criticizing Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu's comments, in which Chivu defended the red card decision, claiming it was due to a "light touch." Del Piero responded on Sky Sport, asserting that Inter, as a strong team, doesn't need such assistance to win, and expressing his hope that Chivu would reconsider his position and admit that the fall was unjustified. This incident reflects the deep rift this derby has created within Italian sporting circles.