In decisive statements that put an end to the ongoing debate in sporting circles, Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of Saudi club Al-Ittihad, confirmed that the chapter of French stars Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté is completely closed. This came in response to Benzema's transfer to arch-rival Al-Hilal and Kanté's move to Turkish side Fenerbahçe during the winter transfer window. The coach stressed the need to focus on the present and future instead of dwelling on the past.
During the pre-match press conference ahead of the Al Sadd game, Conceição explained that football doesn't depend on one or two players, no matter how famous they are. He pointed out that the team currently boasts a constellation of world-class stars capable of compensating for any absences, citing prominent names who have joined Al Ittihad and proven their technical ability, such as Algerian star Houssem Aouar, Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri, and the speedy French winger Moussa Diaby. These players represent the cornerstone of Al Ittihad's new project, which aims to compete on all fronts.
A fiery clash in the AFC Champions League elite competition
All eyes will be on Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Tuesday, as Al-Ittihad travels to face Qatari giants Al-Sadd in the final round of the West Zone group stage of the AFC Champions League. This match carries particular significance given the rich history between the two clubs. Al-Sadd, nicknamed "The Boss," is a powerhouse of Asian football and a former continental champion, making this encounter a true test of Conceição's squad.
Speaking about their opponents, Conceição said, “Facing a team of Al Sadd’s caliber will be no walk in the park. We are well aware that we are playing against a team with considerable continental experience and outstanding players, led by an experienced coach with a remarkable track record.” He added that playing in Doha and in front of the Qatari fans adds an extra layer of excitement to the match, which requires Al Ittihad players to be at their peak in terms of both mental and physical focus.
Rotation policy and congested match schedule
The Portuguese coach addressed the physical challenges facing the team, noting that preparations for this Asian summit clash came at a very short time amidst a packed schedule of domestic and continental matches. This immense pressure led the coaching staff to adopt a rotation policy among the players to avoid fatigue and injuries.
Conceição emphasized that securing qualification for the next round provides Al-Ittihad with a degree of comfort, opening the door to give playing time to several players who haven't received sufficient minutes recently. He concluded by reiterating that Al-Ittihad's objective remains winning and maintaining their strong performances, considering the match an ideal opportunity for reserve players to prove their worthiness to wear the club's jersey in major competitions.
