Houssem Aouar defies fatigue ahead of Al-Ittihad and Al-Sadd's Asian Champions League clash
Algerian star Houssem Aouar, the playmaker for Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad, affirmed the mental and technical readiness of his team ahead of their anticipated clash against Qatar's Al-Sadd in the final round of the West Zone stage of the AFC Champions League. Aouar's remarks came during a press conference held in Doha, Qatar, where he emphasized that the pressure of consecutive matches would not hinder the team's desire to secure a victory.
Overcoming fatigue and developing a winning mentality
Aouar explained that his teammates are fully aware of the responsibility placed upon them at this crucial stage of the season. While acknowledging a degree of physical fatigue resulting from the congested schedule of domestic and continental matches within a short period, he emphasized that the professional mentality of the Al-Ittihad players and the team's strong character will be the decisive factors in delivering a performance worthy of the club's reputation and long history in Asia.
The importance of the match and the context of the competition
This match is of particular importance as Al-Ittihad seeks to solidify its position in the West Zone standings before entering the knockout stages. Al-Ittihad officially secured its place in the Round of 16 after a stunning performance in the previous round, where it thrashed Qatari side Al-Gharafa 7-0, bringing its points tally to 12 and placing it fifth in the group. A victory today (Tuesday) at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium would not only grant the team additional points but also provide a significant morale boost and improve its ranking before the upcoming draw.
Historical background and the impact of the Dean continentally
Historically, Al-Ittihad boasts a rich legacy in Asian championships, having reigned supreme on the continent twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005. This was implicitly acknowledged by Aouar when he spoke of the club's "value and strength." Al-Ittihad's strong return this season in the newly revamped "Elite" format evokes memories of the prestige the Saudi club commanded for many years and underscores its desire to reclaim continental glory.
Doha atmosphere and high concentration
Aouar concluded his remarks by praising the atmosphere in Qatar, stressing that it was not his first visit and that he was accustomed to the wonderful stadiums there, but he emphasized that his full focus was on the pitch to help his team secure the three points and continue the series of positive results that enhance the team’s stability technically and morally in all tournaments.
