Al-Ahli's official lineup against Al-Ittihad in the Jeddah derby – Roshan League
German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al-Ahli Saudi FC, announced the starting lineup for the highly anticipated match against arch-rivals Al-Ittihad, in the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League. This match comes at a crucial point in the season, as Al-Ahli seeks to reaffirm its dominance and secure three points in the Jeddah derby, a match that attracts a large and passionate fan base.
Al-Ahli's lineup against Al-Ittihad details
Yasle decided to enter with lethal offensive weapons while maintaining defensive balance, and the official lineup included the following names:
- Goalkeeper: Senegalese Edouard Mendy, on whom the team relies heavily to repel counter-attacks.
- The defense line: The back four consists of Ali Majrashi, Brazilian Roger Ibanez, Rayan Hamed, and Zakaria Hawsawi, in a combination that blends experience and speed to stop the danger of Al-Ittihad's attack.
- Midfield: The maneuvering area is led by Ivorian Franck Kessie, along with Franck Itangana and Ziyad Al-Jahani, who are responsible for linking the lines and winning the ball back early.
- Attack line: Al-Ahly enters with a strong attacking trio consisting of Algerian star Riyad Mahrez, Brazilian Galeano, and English striker Ivan Toni, reflecting the coach's desire to decide the match early.
The philosophy of high pressure and the importance of the derby
The headline, "Matthias Relies on Pressing," reflects the tactical intentions of the young German coach. Jääsle is known for his high-pressing style in the opponent's half, which explains his deployment of physically fit players in midfield and attack. The aim of this approach is to prevent Al-Ittihad from building attacks from the back and force them into errors in their own defensive third.
History and tradition of the Jeddah derby
This match is more than just an ordinary league encounter; it's a new chapter in the "Red Sea Derby," one of the oldest and most prestigious derbies in the Arab world and the Middle East. This clash carries a long and storied history of fierce rivalry between the two Jeddah giants, where the significance of victory transcends mere three points, extending to the symbolic dominance of the city.
This edition of the derby gains additional global importance due to the big names in the ranks of the two teams, which makes the eyes of football fans around the world turn towards the stadium to watch the clash of stars, and the impact of the result on the Roshan League standings, which is witnessing unprecedented development and competitiveness.
