The coaching staff of Al-Ettifaq, led by English manager Steven Gerrard, faces a tough tactical challenge ahead of their upcoming match against Al-Kholoud, in the 18th round of the Saudi Professional League. This match, to be played at Al-Kholoud's home ground, comes at a crucial point in the season, as the team nicknamed "Al-Nawakhda" (The Captains) seeks to improve their position in the standings and return to winning ways.
Details of absences and injuries
The absence of four key players from the squad has been confirmed, leaving the coach with a real dilemma in selecting the right lineup. In defense and midfield, the team will be without Costa Rican defender Francisco Calvo and Spanish midfielder Álvaro Medrán. The duo are suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, having received cautions during the team's recent hard-fought match against NEOM in the Roshan League.
On the attacking front, Al-Ettifaq's woes deepen with the confirmed absence of Egyptian striker Ahmed Hassan Kouka, in addition to French striker Moussa Dembélé. The attacking duo are sidelined due to various muscle injuries sustained recently, requiring them to undergo treatment and rehabilitation programs before returning to official matches. The absence of Dembélé and Kouka is a significant blow to the team's attacking prowess, given their technical ability inside the penalty area.
The impact of absences on match calculations
The match between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Kholoud is of paramount importance to both teams. Al-Ettifaq is looking to bounce back from their disappointing goalless draw in the previous round, a result that fell short of the club's fans' expectations. These absences force Steven Gerrard to find alternative solutions from the bench to compensate for the lack of depth in key positions, particularly in midfield and attack.
Competition context of the Roshan League
This encounter comes amidst fierce competition in the Roshan Professional League, which is witnessing remarkable development and unprecedented global attention. The second round matches (starting from matchday 18 onwards) are crucial in determining which teams are vying for Asian Champions League spots and which are battling relegation. Therefore, dropping points in such matches could have a long-term impact on a team's league campaign, making the Al-Kholoud match a true test of Al-Ettifaq's squad depth and the ability of its substitutes to compensate for the absence of key players.
