In a surprising move that raised many questions in Saudi sports circles, the Portuguese technical director of Al-Ittihad Club, Sergio Conceicao, decided to exclude his Dutch professional player Steven Bergwijn from the final list that will face the traditional rival Al-Hilal in the summit of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, known as the “Founding Day Round”.
A technical decision and the impact of Bergwijn's absence
This tactical decision comes just hours before the highly anticipated Clasico, which will take place on Saturday evening at the Kingdom Arena. Bergwijn's absence is a significant blow to Al-Ittihad, especially considering his crucial role in their attack this season. The Dutch player has featured in 21 matches for the club across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing two assists, accumulating 1659 minutes of playing time, highlighting his importance to the forward line.
The historical context of the Saudi Clasico
The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Hilal match carries a special significance that transcends the mere acquisition of three points. Known as the "Saudi Clasico," this encounter represents one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in the history of Saudi and Asian football. The roots of this rivalry stretch back decades, witnessing decisive historical clashes at both the local and continental levels. The match embodies a clash between two giants from the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh, and it always carries a character of intense competition and excitement that fans eagerly anticipate, not only in the Kingdom but throughout the Arab world.
The importance of the match in the league race
The importance of this match is heightened by the two teams' positions in the Roshan League standings. Al-Hilal enters the game sitting comfortably atop the table with 53 points, a significant lead over their closest rivals, and aims for another victory to bring them closer to securing the title. On the other hand, Al-Ittihad is experiencing an inconsistent season and currently occupies seventh place with 37 points, a position that falls short of their fans' expectations after winning the title last season. Therefore, the "Tigers," under their new coach Conceição, are striving for a positive result against the league leaders, not only for its morale-boosting value but also to improve their league position and compete strongly for a spot in next season's Asian Champions League. The decision to exclude a player of Bergwijn's caliber at this crucial juncture puts additional pressure on the Portuguese coach and fuels speculation about his tactical plans for this challenging encounter.
