A disciplinary crisis is hitting the ranks of Al-Ittihad this season
Al-Ittihad, the Saudi club known as "Al-Ameed" (The Dean), has set a striking and worrying record regarding tactical discipline on the pitch during the current football season. The team tops the list of Saudi Pro League clubs in terms of red cards received, with its players having been sent off nine times across various domestic and continental competitions. This high number reflects a critical disciplinary issue that requires serious attention and a comprehensive review by the technical and administrative staff, especially as the season enters its crucial stages where the loss of any key players is unacceptable.
Details of red cards and the most prominent suspended players
Looking at the details of this negative statistic, we find that Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic topped the list with two red cards, both received during the matches against Al-Fateh and Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Professional League. Similarly, Brazilian star Fabinho also received two red cards during the matches against Al-Khaleej and Damac in the same competition, making him one of the most frequently sent-off players this season, which directly impacted the team's midfield.
The list of players sent off also included French winger Moussa Diaby, who received two red cards in the matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Hazm, continuing Al-Ittihad's ongoing struggle with numerical disadvantage on several occasions during their league campaign. In other cases, full-back Muhannad Al-Shanqiti was sent off during the match against Al-Wahda of the UAE in the AFC Champions League, while Ahmed Al-Julaidan received a red card against Al-Nassr in the King's Cup, and defender Hassan Kadash was dismissed in the Saudi Clasico against Al-Hilal in the Roshan League.
Brazilian professional Danilo Pereira concluded the list of red cards after his expulsion in the match against Sharjah of the UAE in the Asian Elite Championship, bringing the total number of expulsions to 9 cards distributed among a number of the most important elements of the team in various tournaments.
Historical context and competitive pressure in the Roshan League
Historically, Al-Ittihad is known as one of the pillars of Saudi and Asian football. Founded in 1927, the club has always relied on tactical discipline and a high fighting spirit to win its domestic and continental titles. With the recent tremendous development of the Saudi Professional League and the influx of top-tier international stars, the level of competition and the psychological and physical pressure on players have risen to unprecedented levels. This pressure may partially explain the tension that affects some players and leads to mistakes that result in yellow and red cards, but it does not excuse the lack of focus in crucial moments.
Expected impact locally and regionally
These figures raise fundamental questions about the level of discipline within the team's dressing room. Domestically, the repeated sending-offs in crucial matches weaken the team's chances in the fierce competition for the Roshan League title and the King's Cup, as the absence of international players like Fabinho and Diaby disrupts the team's stability and puts them under additional pressure. Regionally and continentally, playing with a depleted squad in decisive matches in the AFC Champions League jeopardizes the team's quest to reclaim its continental glory.
It is expected and inevitable that Al-Ittihad's coaching staff will work immediately to address this negative phenomenon by intensifying psychological and tactical sessions to reduce individual errors and recklessness that have cost the team playing with a man down in several matches. Restoring discipline is the first step to ensuring that "Al-Ittihad" remains competitive on all fronts this season.
