Al-Ittihad fans are experiencing a state of anxiety and anticipation due to the team's inconsistent results under Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição. Despite boasting a constellation of local and international stars capable of competing strongly, the team has failed to achieve the necessary technical stability, leaving its season uncertain.
Historical background and high expectations
This concern arises within a historical context and at a pivotal stage for the club and the Saudi league in general. Al-Ittihad, known as "Al-Ameed" (The Dean) and one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Saudi Arabia, entered this season as the reigning champions of the 2022-2023 Saudi Professional League, an achievement that returned the team to the pinnacle of Saudi football after a period of absence. This success, coupled with a massive sports investment project that attracted international stars such as Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho, raised ambitions to unprecedented levels. The goal is no longer merely to compete domestically, but to dominate championships and establish a strong presence on the continental stage.
Analysis of unstable technical performance
Since Conceição took over as manager, Al-Ittihad's performance has been inconsistent. While the team displays strong form in some matches and secures convincing victories, its performance suddenly declines in others, dropping crucial points against opponents they were expected to defeat. The team suffers from clear problems with tactical consistency, as the Portuguese coach has not settled on a specific playing style or a fixed lineup, with frequent changes between matches. This has affected the team's cohesion, particularly in defense, which has conceded goals at critical moments, costing the team dearly.
Impact on the club's ambitions both domestically and continentally
This inconsistency in performance has direct repercussions for the club's ambitions. Domestically, the dropped points have widened the gap with league leaders Al-Hilal, making retaining the title a difficult goal to achieve. The focus has now shifted to securing a spot in next season's AFC Champions League, which requires consistent results in the remaining matches. At the continental level, any decline in performance could damage the reputation of the team, which is considered one of the most prominent representatives of Saudi football on the international stage, especially given the Saudi league's widespread global following.
Public pressure and an uncertain future
Conceição faces another challenge: managing the pressure from Al-Ittihad's fans, who are accustomed to constant competition for championships and demand nothing less than strong performances and victories. The recent 2-1 loss to Al-Qadisiyah intensified the criticism and raised questions about the coach's ability to steer the team to safety. Despite these challenges, he still has the opportunity to get back on track, but this requires intensive tactical work, a stable lineup, addressing defensive errors, and improving attacking efficiency. Al-Ittihad's fans expect a strong response from their team in the upcoming matches to prove their ability to overcome this difficult period, as patience is wearing thin, and results will be the ultimate judge of Conceição's tenure with the team.
