All eyes of Saudi and Arab football fans are on Jeddah, where the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) is preparing to host one of the most anticipated matches of the Saudi Professional League, a clash between the city's two giants, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli. In this context, Al-Ittihad's Portuguese coach, Sergio Conceição, held a press conference this evening, revealing details of the team's preparations for this highly anticipated match on Friday.
Participation criteria: Readiness before names
Speaking to the media, Conceição clarified his starting lineup for the match. The Portuguese coach explained that the coaching staff prioritizes performance on the pitch over big names, emphasizing that a comprehensive evaluation is the deciding factor. He affirmed that the starting jersey will go to the "best and most prepared" player, both technically and physically, reflecting his desire to field a team capable of maintaining the high tempo expected in derby matches.
Artistic identity and the weapon of set pieces
Conceição rejected the idea of changing the team's playing style solely based on the opponent's strengths. He indicated that Al-Ittihad would enter the match to impose its usual style and playing style, aiming to appear as a dominant team that controls the flow of the game. Regarding tactical solutions, the coach revealed that set pieces represent one of the strategic weapons the team has practiced intensively, considering them a key to unlocking Al-Ahli's defense and capitalizing on half-chances to score.
Jeddah Derby: A history of rivalry and excitement
This match holds special significance that transcends the mere three points at stake; the Jeddah derby is one of the oldest and most prestigious derbies in the Arab region, boasting a long and storied history of fierce rivalry between Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli. This encounter comes at a time when the Saudi league is experiencing tremendous growth and unprecedented global attention, thus increasing the responsibility of players and coaches to deliver a performance worthy of Saudi football's reputation.
Al-Ittihad fans: The key factor in the equation
Conceição didn't miss the opportunity to praise the pivotal role of Al-Ittihad's fans, describing them as "the secret to the team's success." The coach recalled the overwhelming presence of Al-Ittihad supporters in the previous match against Al-Hilal, emphasizing that their impact was palpable despite the limited allocation of tickets at the time. He addressed the fans directly, stating that their support and encouragement throughout the 90 minutes would be the decisive factor and the true key to achieving victory in the derby.
Continental ambition and upcoming challenges
In closing, the Portuguese coach expressed his desire for the team to have completed a continental competition before this match, indicating his wish to play a Round of 16 match in the Asian Champions League as a form of high-level preparation. This statement underscores the coach's professional mindset, as he consistently strives to place his team under the pressure of major matches to elevate their performance level, preparing them to compete on all fronts, both domestically and continentally.
