Saudi football fans will turn their attention to Tabuk next Wednesday, specifically to King Khalid Sports City Stadium, where Al-Ittihad will be the visiting team against Neom in a highly anticipated match kicking off at 6:25 PM. This match is part of the twelfth round of the Saudi Professional League, and Al-Ittihad will be looking to regain their form and climb towards the top of the table.
A significant absence in the ranks of Al-Ittihad
Al-Ittihad enters this match without one of its key players, Mario Mitaë, who is suspended. This absence stems from Mitaë receiving his fourth yellow card in the team's previous match against Al-Shabab, presenting the coaching staff with the challenge of finding a suitable replacement. Mitaë is scheduled to return to the Tigers' lineup starting from the thirteenth round, when Al-Ittihad hosts Al-Taawoun next Saturday at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
Conceição puts the finishing touches on the deal
On the technical front, coach Conceição is intensifying his preparations for the match, aiming to implement his tactical approach and prepare the team both mentally and physically to overcome the challenge posed by Neom. The coach is expected to conduct a key training session to finalize the starting lineup and adopt the appropriate tactics to unlock the opponent's defense. Conceição aspires to secure all three points in this match, emphasizing to his players that victory is the only option to get back into serious contention for the title.
The importance of the match and the context of the competition
This match is of particular importance given Al-Ittihad's position in the league standings. The team currently sits in sixth place with 17 points from 10 matches (5 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses). This position falls short of the expectations of Al-Ittihad's vast fan base, who always expect to see their team at the top. The match in Tabuk will be a true test of the team's ability to perform under pressure away from home, especially considering the significant development of Saudi clubs and the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League. There are no longer any easy matches, and the struggle for points now demands high concentration throughout the ninety minutes.
The fans in the Tabuk region add an extra layer of excitement, as the region is known for its great passion for football, which promises a large crowd that will add an enthusiastic atmosphere to the match, something that the Al-Ittihad stars are well aware of as they seek to make amends with their fans and return with all the match points.
