Conceição: Al-Ittihad's fans are our weapon against Nasaf in the Asian Champions League
Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad, confirmed his team's readiness for their upcoming match against Uzbekistan's Nasaf, in the sixth round of the AFC Champions League. Conceição's remarks came during a press conference held to discuss the match, which will take place at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah. The coach emphasized that this game represents a crucial turning point in the team's journey in the continental tournament.
Conceição spoke candidly about the recent international break, noting that it was a necessary respite, albeit short, to implement a comprehensive tactical overhaul. The Portuguese coach said, "No coach in the world can radically change a team's identity in just 15 days, but we used this time wisely to address past mistakes and adopt a flexible tactical approach that suits our players' capabilities and takes into account the specifics of upcoming matches." He explained that the coaching staff focused during training on improving defensive transitions, controlling attacking shifts, activating high-pressing zones, and raising the players' mental and physical fitness levels.
In a related context, this match holds particular significance given Al-Ittihad's rich history in Asian competitions. The Jeddah-based club, which won the AFC Champions League title twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005, seeks to reclaim its continental glory in the new "elite" format. Al-Ittihad fans understand that competing in the new tournament system requires accumulating as many points as possible in the group stage to secure a high ranking, thus facilitating the team's journey through the knockout rounds. This places a heightened responsibility on the coaching staff and players to fulfill the aspirations of the Al-Ittihad supporters, who are eager for Asian gold.
Regarding their Uzbek opponents, Conceição refused to underestimate Nasaf based on their current league position, emphasizing that football only recognizes performance on the pitch. He pointed out that the Uzbek team possesses strong players and has been performing at a level that doesn't reflect their ranking, making the match a true and difficult test for Al-Ittihad after their return from the break. He added, "We have great respect for our opponents, and we will do our utmost to achieve victory, especially since the match is being played on our home ground and in front of our fans.".
Regarding absences and medical readiness, Conceição revealed that Algerian star Houssem Aouar remains sidelined due to injury. He explained that the decision to rest him was made in close coordination between the Algerian national team's medical staff and Al-Ittihad club to ensure his recovery and return as soon as possible. He also noted that international duo Saleh Al-Shehri and Abdulrahman Al-Aboud have recently rejoined the team's training sessions and will undergo a final evaluation to determine their availability for the upcoming match.
Conceição concluded his remarks with a special message to Al-Ittihad's fans, describing them as "the number one player" and the true source of inspiration and strength for the team. He emphasized that the massive fan presence and unwavering support from the first minute are the fuel that drives the players to give their best, adding that playing in Jeddah amidst such a vibrant atmosphere gives the team a significant psychological advantage that must be exploited to secure the three points.
