Al-Ittihad's first football team continued their strong performances in the continental competition, achieving an important and tactical victory over Uzbekistan's Nasaf by a single goal, in the sixth round of the AFC Champions League group stage. This victory not only earned Al-Ittihad three points, but also confirmed the team's readiness to compete for the continental title in its new format.
Fabinho... Man of the Match in an unusual position
The global statistics platform SofaScore revealed the player ratings for Al-Ittihad following the match, with Brazilian star Fabinho Tavares topping the list with a score of 8.4. What was remarkable wasn't just the number, but also the position he played; the coach relied on him in central defense to compensate for absences, and he delivered a solid defensive performance that contributed to the team keeping a clean sheet, highlighting his high tactical versatility and significant value to the Tigers' lineup.
Variation in star performance
In contrast, the match saw inconsistent performances from some players. Young Ahmed Al-Ghamdi the lowest rating on the team with a score of 6.1, followed by Dutch professional Steven Bergwijn , who failed to perform at his usual level and received a rating of 6.4. Despite this, the rest of the team's stars maintained their composure. Goalkeeper Rajkovic delivered a stellar performance, making several crucial saves, while Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté continued to lead the team with their vast experience.
List of Al-Ittihad star ratings by numbers:
- Fabinho Tavares: 8.4 (Highest Rated)
- Danilo Pereira: 7.6
- Karim Benzema: 7.6
- Hassan Kadash: 7.4
- N'Golo Kanté: 7.3
- Muhannad Al-Shanqiti: 7.2
- Hamed Al-Ghamdi: 7.0
- Rajkovic: 7.0
- Moussa Diaby: 7.0
- Steven Bergwyn: 6.4
- Ahmed Al-Ghamdi: 6.1
The context of the tournament and the importance of the victory for Al-Ittihad
This victory takes on added significance given the historical context and the current competition. Al-Ittihad, who won the AFC Champions League title twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005, are aiming to reclaim their continental glory in the newly revamped "Elite" edition. This tournament is considered the strongest in Asia, featuring the continent's elite clubs, making every point crucial in the qualification process for the knockout stages.
The organized defensive performance displayed by the team against Nasaf reflects a significant improvement in Al-Ittihad's backline, a crucial factor in group stage tournaments. This victory also boosts the morale of the players and fans, confirming that the club's sporting project, bolstered by world-class players like Benzema, Kanté, and Fabinho, is on the right track towards seriously competing for Asian supremacy and representing Saudi Arabia well in upcoming international competitions.
