Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad club is preparing for a tough test when they visit Qatar's Al-Sadd on Tuesday evening at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. This highly anticipated match is part of the final round of group stage matches in the West Zone of the new edition of the AFC Champions League, and it carries different objectives for both teams.
General context and historical background of the confrontation
Matches between Saudi and Qatari clubs are always special, representing fiercely contested and exciting Gulf derbies. This particular encounter brings together two teams with a rich history in Asian football. Al-Ittihad, nicknamed "The Dean," has won the Asian title twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005, while Al-Sadd, the Qatari "Leader," is one of the most prominent footballing powers in Asia and has also won the title twice, in 1989 and 2011. This impressive legacy adds extra significance to the match, making it a clash between two footballing schools that have left their indelible mark on the tournament's history.
The importance of the match and its expected impact
On a local and regional level, the match serves as a gauge of the strength of the Saudi and Qatari leagues, especially after both leagues attracted international stars. Al-Ittihad, despite already securing qualification for the Round of 16 after their resounding 7-0 victory over Al-Gharafa of Qatar, are aiming for another win to solidify their position in the group standings, potentially granting them a relatively easier opponent in the knockout stages. A victory would provide the team with a significant morale boost before entering the decisive phases.
In contrast, Al Sadd enters the match with a "win or bust" mentality. The team currently sits in eighth place with eight points, and a victory is the only way to guarantee passage to the next round without relying on complex calculations based on other teams' results. Therefore, the Qatari side is expected to unleash its full attacking force to secure the three points, taking advantage of playing at home in front of their fans.
Numbers and statistics before the confrontation
Al-Ittihad boasts a distinguished historical record against Qatari clubs in Asian competitions, having faced them 12 times previously, winning nine matches, drawing one, and losing only two. Al-Ittihad's superiority is evident in its attacking prowess, with its players scoring 44 goals against Qatari teams, while conceding only 11. Al-Ittihad enters the match in fifth place with 12 points, while Al-Sadd sits in eighth with eight points.
Star squads in both teams
Both teams boast a wealth of international and professional players. Al-Ittihad relies on prominent names such as Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri, Frenchman Moussa Diaby, Brazilian Fabinho, and Algerian Houssem Aouar. Meanwhile, Al-Sadd features big names like Brazilian Roberto Firmino, his compatriots Claudinho and Paulo Otavio, as well as Qatari football's star Akram Afif and Spaniard Rafa Mojica, promising an exciting and entertaining match full of skillful moments on the pitch.
