It has been officially confirmed that Al-Ittihad's star player, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, will miss his team's upcoming match against Al-Kholoud in the Saudi Professional League. This absence raises questions about the player's future and his place in the starting lineup, especially given the challenges Al-Ittihad faces this season.
According to sources close to Al-Ittihad, Al-Aboud is currently undergoing intensive individual training sessions in the club's gym, following a direct order from the team's Portuguese manager, Conceição. It appears the coaching staff aims to improve the player's fitness level or convey a specific disciplinary and tactical message to ensure he is fully prepared before being called upon in crucial official matches.
This wasn't Al-Aboud's first absence recently, as he missed Al-Ittihad's last three matches against Al-Shabab, Neom, and Al-Taawoun in the Roshan League and other league fixtures this season. This recurring absence raises questions about the stability of the team's local players, at a time when Al-Ittihad needs all its key players to compete for top positions.
Looking at the statistics, the 30-year-old player has only featured in 10 matches for Al-Ittihad this season, totaling 219 minutes of playing time, during which he managed to provide one assist. These figures are considered modest compared to the player's well-known abilities and the speed that has historically been a significant asset to the Tigers' attack in previous seasons.
In preparation for the match, Al-Ittihad is scheduled to be a tough opponent for Al-Kholoud at 8:30 PM next Friday, in the 14th round of the Roshan League. This match is of paramount importance to both teams, as Al-Ittihad seeks to get back on track, return to winning ways, and compete strongly for a top-four finish.
Al-Ittihad enters the match in sixth place in the league standings with 32 points, a position that falls short of the ambitions of the club's fans, who hope to see their team as a fierce contender for the title or at least secure an Asian Champions League spot. Meanwhile, Al-Kholoud sits in twelfth place with 12 points and will be looking to capitalize on home advantage to achieve a positive result that will distance them from the relegation zone. This makes the match wide open and promises a thrilling encounter.
