The technical staff of Al-Ittihad, led by Portuguese coach Conceição, are intensifying their technical and physical preparations for the crucial match against Al-Qadisiyah, scheduled for Thursday evening at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. This match is part of the 17th round of the Saudi Professional League, and Al-Ittihad is eager to appease its fans and quickly return to winning ways.
Addressing technical errors and correcting the team's course
, coach Conceição focused during recent training sessions on a thorough review of video footage from the previous Al-Ettifaq match, which saw the team stumble and lose three points. The coaching staff concentrated on analyzing defensive errors and poor positioning that led to conceding goals, in addition to working on improving attacking efficiency. Conceição aims to implement a balanced tactical approach that suits the capabilities of Al-Qadisiyah, a team known for its strength and ferocity, especially when playing at home in front of its fans in the Eastern Province.
The return of key players and the need for discipline
have given the team a significant morale and tactical boost with the confirmation that Brazilian star Fabinho is fit to return to the starting lineup after his forced absence from the Al-Ettifaq match due to accumulated yellow cards. Fabinho's return is a strong addition to the midfield, given his pivotal role in linking the lines and disrupting opponents' attacks. Meanwhile, the management and coaching staff have issued warnings to Dutch player Steven Breguet, who is at risk of missing the next round if he receives his fourth yellow card against Al-Qadisiyah. This necessitates that he play cautiously and maintain high tactical discipline to avoid suspension.
The context of the competition and the importance of the points
give this match added significance for Al-Ittihad in the context of the struggle for top positions in the Saudi Professional League. This season has witnessed fierce competition and a noticeable improvement in the level of all clubs thanks to international signings. Al-Ittihad understands that dropping more points could widen the gap with their direct rivals, making a victory against Al-Qadisiyah an absolute necessity to bolster the team's technical and administrative stability.
A look at the packed schedule
reveals that Al-Ittihad's challenges don't end with the Al-Qadisiyah match. The team faces a compressed schedule of fixtures that demands high physical conditioning and intelligent player rotation. Upon returning from Dammam, the team will immediately prepare to host Al-Akhdoud the following Monday in the 18th round of matches at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. This succession of matches necessitates that coach Conceição manage his players' physical exertion to ensure they maintain their momentum and compete strongly until the very end of the league season.
