Al-Ittihad Saudi Club announced in an official statement a long list of injuries plaguing its first football team, raising concerns among its fans ahead of important upcoming matches, most notably the anticipated AFC Champions League fixture. The club revealed that eight of its players are currently undergoing various treatment and rehabilitation programs, placing the team in a difficult position at a crucial stage of the season.
According to a statement released Saturday evening, the club's medical department continues to monitor the health of four players undergoing specialized treatment and rehabilitation programs: Faisal Al-Ghamdi, Saleh Al-Shehri, Steven Bergwijn, and Saad Al-Mousa. The injuries sustained by these four players require a period of rest and meticulous rehabilitation to ensure their full physical readiness before returning to the field.
In contrast, the club explained that four other players had received treatment for minor injuries in recent days: Roger Fernandez, Moussa Diaby, Ahmed Sharahili, and Muhannad Sharahili. Although their injuries were described as minor, having so many players at the medical clinic simultaneously presents a significant challenge for the coaching staff.
This news comes at a critical time, as Al-Ittihad prepares to face Qatari side Al-Gharafa on Tuesday evening in the seventh round of the group stage of the current AFC Champions League. This tournament holds particular significance for Al-Ittihad, a club with a rich history in Asian football, having won the title twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005. Its fans are eager to see the club reclaim its lost Asian glory.
This wave of injuries not only affects the coach's tactical options but also puts additional pressure on the remaining available players. The absence of key and influential players in various positions forces the coaching staff to reshuffle their cards and search for replacements capable of filling the gaps, thus testing the depth of the team's bench and its ability to cope with emergencies.
This difficult situation for Al-Ittihad reflects the immense pressure and fierce competition facing Saudi clubs this season. With the increasing strength of the Saudi Professional League and the congested fixture schedule encompassing both domestic (league and King's Cup) and continental (AFC Champions League) competitions, muscle injuries and fatigue have become a common challenge for all major teams, requiring meticulous management of physical workloads and continuous player rotation to maintain fitness.
