Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of Al-Ittihad, announced the final list of foreign professionals he will rely on in the upcoming match against Al-Fateh in the Saudi Professional League. This match comes at a crucial time as Al-Ittihad seeks to improve its position in the standings and secure a victory that will bolster its ambitions to compete for the top spots.
General context and importance of choices
The Saudi Professional League is witnessing unprecedented competition this season, especially after the major clubs attracted international stars. Al-Ittihad, the league champions two seasons ago, is considered one of the most prominent contenders. With Conceição recently taking over as head coach, all eyes are on his tactical approach and his ability to utilize the team's star-studded squad. His selection of foreign players for each match is a clear indicator of his strategy and plans to achieve a balance between defense and attack.
List of approved professionals for the match:
Conceição has settled on eight foreign players to represent the team in this important match, namely:
- Predrag Rajkovic (goalkeeper)
- Danilo Pereira (Defender/Midfielder)
- Fabinho (midfielder)
- N'Golo Kante (midfielder)
- Roger Fernandez (wing)
- Moussa Diaby (wing)
- Mario Mitai (Left Back)
- Mohamedou Doumbia (midfielder)
Expected impact and importance of the match
The selected squad reflects Conceição's focus on strengthening the midfield with the world-class duo of N'Golo Kanté and Fabinho, who possess immense experience in controlling the tempo of the game and providing both defensive and offensive support. The presence of players like Moussa Diaby and Roger Fernandez also adds significant attacking firepower on the wings, giving the team diverse options for penetrating the opposition's defense. Al-Ittihad fans will be hoping this combination can deliver a positive result against Al-Fateh, a team known for being well-organized and a tough opponent on their home ground.
Winning this match is more than just securing three points; it confirms the team's return to form under their new coach and sends a strong message to their rivals that Al-Ittihad remains a key player in the title race. The performance of the foreign professionals will be under intense scrutiny, as they are expected to make a difference and lead the team towards achieving its goals this season.
