Al-Ittihad's head coach, Conceição, revealed the tactical and technical reasons behind his decision to change the position of Brazilian star Fabinho, a midfielder, and deploy him as a center-back during their recent Asian Champions League match against Uzbekistan's Nasaf. This came during his explanations at a press conference held on Thursday, which was dedicated to discussing Al-Ittihad's preparations for their upcoming Saudi Pro League match against Al-Shabab.
Reasons for relying on Fabinho in defense
Speaking about his tactical decisions, Conceição said, "I needed Fabinho in central defense during the match. I don't differentiate between foreign and local players on the field; what matters most is serving the team." This statement underscores the tactical flexibility of the Brazilian star, who has previously played in defensive positions throughout his long professional career, both with Liverpool and Monaco. He possesses a remarkable ability to build attacks from the back and read passing patterns, qualities Al-Ittihad needed to break down the Uzbek team's defensive formation.
Asian victory boosts confidence
Al-Ittihad secured a valuable 1-0 victory over their guests Nasaf last Tuesday in the sixth round of the AFC Champions League group stage. This win was more than just three points; it reaffirmed Al-Ittihad's continental identity. The club boasts a rich history in this competition, being the only Saudi team to have won the title twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005. Qualifying and winning at this stage provides a tremendous morale boost for the team before returning to domestic competitions.
Difficulty of returning after the international break
The Portuguese coach addressed the physical and mental challenges facing top teams, saying, "I'm one of the coaches who feels the same burning desire as Al-Ittihad's fans, but the first match after a break is usually difficult." These remarks highlight the immense pressure on the coaching staff to get the team back on track in the domestic league, especially given the inconsistent results that have left the team in a position unworthy of its large fan base.
Facing the youth and the anniversary of the founding
In a related context, the Al-Shabab match took on a special emotional dimension, coinciding as it did with the anniversary of Al-Ittihad's founding. The coach commented on this occasion, saying, "I hope to win against Al-Shabab as a fitting gift for a club that was born a champion and remains great." Matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Shabab are considered classics of Saudi football, always characterized by fierce competition and excitement, regardless of the teams' positions in the league standings.
The two teams' positions in the Roshan League
Al-Ittihad is scheduled to host Al-Shabab at 8:30 PM next Saturday. Al-Ittihad enters the match in seventh place in the Roshan Professional League standings with 14 points, a position the team is striving to improve to return to contention for the title or Asian Champions League qualification. Meanwhile, Al-Shabab is struggling, currently sitting in thirteenth place with 8 points, making this match a crucial opportunity for both sides to improve their standings before the season reaches its halfway point.
