Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, the technical director of the Saudi Al-Ittihad club, confirmed that the sweeping victory achieved by his team over Al-Gharafa of Qatar by seven goals to nil was not a coincidence, but rather the result of tactical work and great effort from the players, while pointing out that the team has the necessary mentality to overcome the departure of the two international stars Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante.
Conceição's remarks came during the post-match press conference following the game between the two teams in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. The Portuguese coach said: “We achieved a well-deserved victory today. The team has always tried to reach the opponents' goal in previous matches, but we lacked the final touch. Today, the performance was complete, and we capped it off with seven goals.”.
Background to the event: The revolution of the stars and the post-Benzema and Kante era
This resounding victory comes at a crucial time for Al-Ittihad, who were among the world's most prominent clubs in the 2023-2024 summer transfer window, having successfully acquired top-tier stars such as French striker Karim Benzema, then Ballon d'Or winner, and his compatriot, midfielder N'Golo Kanté. These signings formed part of a massive sporting project aimed at elevating the Saudi Professional League and making it a destination for the world's best players. However, recent times have witnessed considerable controversy surrounding the future of these stars, culminating in their departure from the club, raising concerns among fans about the team's ability to maintain a strong competitive edge.
Conceição's message: Team spirit is paramount
Conceição was keen to send a clear message to the fans and the media, emphasizing that the strength of the club lies in the collective, not in individuals. In response to a question about the impact of Benzema and Kanté's departure, he said, " Yes, two leaders have left, but we have many leaders in the team. The most important thing is that we remain a united team and understand our responsibility to the club and its badge ." He added, "Every team experiences challenges, and the most important thing is how we bounce back and maintain our momentum. We want to be united as players with the coaching staff and the fans, and to have a clear mind to focus on our goals."
The importance and expected impact of winning
Domestically, this victory represents a tremendous morale boost for Al-Ittihad's players and fans, proving that the team is capable of delivering a strong attacking performance and achieving significant results even without star players. Continentally, scoring seven goals in a tournament as prestigious as the AFC Champions League sends a strong warning to all rivals, confirming that Al-Ittihad, a two-time Asian champion, is a leading contender for the title. Internationally, this performance demonstrates the maturity of the Saudi Arabian football project, which no longer relies solely on the brilliance of a single star player, but rather on building well-rounded teams capable of competing thanks to tactical planning and team spirit.
Conceição concluded his remarks by thanking the fans, saying: “ The fans are the reason for the feeling we have reached, and we will continue to work in this way during the coming period to make them happy .”
