All eyes will be on Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah on Friday evening, March 6th, as it hosts the highly anticipated Western derby between Al-Ahli and their guests, Al-Ittihad, in the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League. The match is of paramount importance in terms of points, as both sides seek to improve their positions in the standings, amidst an expected tactical battle between coaches Matias Jääsle and Sergio Conceição.
Al-Ahli enters the match in second place in the league standings with 59 points from 24 games, having secured 18 wins, 5 draws, and only one loss. The team boasts a solid defense, having conceded just 15 goals, while their attack has netted 46, leaving them only two points behind league leaders Al-Nassr. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad sits in fifth place with 42 points, accumulated from 12 wins, 6 draws, and 6 losses. Their players have scored 39 goals and conceded 28, reflecting a relative disparity between their attacking prowess and defensive performance.
On a tactical level, Al Ahli's German coach, Jääsle, employs a flexible 4-3-3 formation that transforms into a 3-2-5 in attack through the overlapping runs of the full-backs. Goalkeeper Édouard Mendy's European experience provides a crucial element of security, behind the defensive duo of Roger Ibañez and Merih Demiral, who will face a direct challenge from Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri. The team's attack relies on the movements of Englishman Ivan Tony as the primary playmaker and the runs of Galeño on the left wing, while Franck Kessié is responsible for maintaining balance in midfield.
For his part, Al-Ittihad's Portuguese coach, Conceição, favors a defensive approach while relying on quick counter-attacks, utilizing the speed of Moussa Diaby and Steven Bergwijn on the wings, and Youssef En-Nesyri's finishing ability inside the box. The midfield will be the scene of a direct physical battle between Fabinho and Kessié to determine who controls the tempo, while Al-Ittihad's defense, led by Fabinho and Giancarlo Simic, will have to deal with the crosses and through balls that the opposition excels at.
Financial figures reveal a close match between the two clubs, with Al-Ahli's market value at approximately €170.78 million and Al-Ittihad's at €164.55 million, with both teams boasting an identical average player age of 25.7 years. According to available data, Al-Ahli's top-valued players are Enzo Melo at €28 million, followed by Galeano at €22 million and Ivan Toni at €20 million. For Al-Ittihad, Moussa Diaby leads the way at €28 million, followed by Youssef En-Nesyri and Roger Fernandez, each valued at €22 million.
