A wave of anger swept through Al-Ittihad Club following their painful defeat against Al-Ettifaq in a hard-fought match during the 16th round of the Saudi Professional League. Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the players' performance, describing the first half as a tactical nightmare unlike anything he had ever witnessed.
Fiery statements and an admission of shortcomings
In the post-match press conference following the game at Al-Inma Stadium, the Portuguese coach made no attempt to sugarcoat the situation, instead offering a frank and direct critique. "The first half against Al-Ettifaq was the worst I've experienced in my entire coaching career," Conceição stated sharply. He pointed out that the team lacked identity and focus in the first half, allowing the opponent to control the game and take the lead. At the same time, he emphasized his acceptance of responsibility and his determination to work diligently to prepare the team for the next stage, paying close attention to all technical and psychological aspects.
Return attempts and the context of competition
Conceição added, "We improved significantly in the second half and tried to turn things around and get back into the game, but we couldn't. Our main objective was to win the match and secure the three points to continue competing, which unfortunately didn't happen." This 1-0 loss adds to Al-Ittihad's woes and continues a series of disappointing results for the Jeddah club's large fan base.
The importance of the match and its impact on the league standings
This match is particularly important given the intense competition in the Saudi Professional League this season, with clubs attracting international stars and the overall technical level of all teams rising. A loss to a well-organized team like Al-Ettifaq would be a significant blow to Al-Ittihad's ambitions of competing for the title or even securing a high enough position to qualify for Asian competitions. In the Saudi League under its new name, every point counts, and a stumble against direct rivals or mid-table teams could prove costly at the end of the season.
Challenges of the next stage for the Dean
Al-Ittihad faces significant challenges in the coming period, requiring the coaching staff, led by Conceição, to quickly regroup. The passionate and unwavering Al-Ittihad fans expect a strong response in the upcoming matches to erase the lackluster performance the team displayed in the first half against Al-Ettifaq. The next phase demands intensive work on both the physical and mental fronts to ensure such lapses, which could derail the team's season, are not repeated.
