Al-Ittihad, the oldest club in Saudi Arabia, is preparing for a crucial match when they host Al-Najma at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) in the King's Cup. Al-Ittihad enters this encounter aiming for a convincing victory that will secure their passage to the next round and allow them to continue their quest for a title that has eluded them for several years.
General context and importance of the match
This match comes amidst a challenging season for Al-Ittihad. After a historic season in which they won the Saudi Professional League title, the team has experienced inconsistency in both performance and results this season, despite major international signings such as Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho. Therefore, the King's Cup represents a valuable opportunity to salvage the season and secure a major title that would satisfy the aspirations of Al-Ittihad's vast fan base. The new Portuguese coach, Sérgio Conceição, is well aware of the responsibility placed upon him and aims to begin his tenure strongly in this knockout tournament, which allows no room for half-measures.
Expected impact and audience expectations
There is no doubt that the result of this match will have a significant impact on the team's morale. A victory would give the players a much-needed confidence boost and would also strengthen the fans' faith in the new coaching staff and their ability to get the team back on track. Domestically, Al-Ittihad is considered one of the top contenders for the cup title, and any setback in the early rounds would be a major disappointment. The fans are expecting a strong performance that reflects the quality of the team's stars, with a focus on tactical cohesion and attacking efficiency.
Al-Ittihad's expected lineup
Coach Sergio Conceição is expected to field a strong and balanced lineup, blending experience and youth, relying on big names to secure an early victory and avoid any surprises. The Portuguese coach has largely settled on the following starting eleven:
- Goalkeeper: Abdullah Al-Muaiouf
- Defense: Muhannad Al-Shanqiti, Ahmed Hijazi, Hassan Kadash, Fawaz Al-Saqour
- Midfield: N'Golo Kanté, Fabinho, Faisal Al-Ghamdi
- Forwards: Romarinho, Karim Benzema, Abderrazak Hamdallah
Conceicao relies on the solidity of the world-class midfield duo Kante and Fabinho to control the center of the field, while he depends on the powerful attacking trio of Romarinho, Benzema and Hamdallah to score goals and secure qualification.
