Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of Al-Ittihad's first football team, expressed his immense satisfaction with his team's strong performance and resounding victory against Al-Kholoud, which ended in a 4-0 win for Al-Ittihad in the 14th round of the Saudi Professional League. The Portuguese coach emphasized that this victory reflects the noticeable improvement in the team's performance over the past few weeks.
In the post-match press conference, Conceição offered a realistic analysis of the game, noting that circumstances had worked perfectly in his team's favor. He said, "The result was undoubtedly deserved, but we must acknowledge that the early red card for the opponent and the penalty kick made our task much easier. We capitalized on our numerical advantage, creating numerous scoring opportunities while maintaining our full respect for our rivals." He added that the team demonstrated tactical maturity in the second half through well-organized defense and attack, reminiscent of the discipline displayed in their previous match against Al-Khaleej.
This victory strengthens Al-Ittihad's position in the race for the Roshan League title, as maintaining their winning streak is crucial given the fierce competition from top clubs like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. The strong attacking performance reflects the "Tigers'" desire to reclaim their domestic dominance and compete strongly for all titles this season, benefiting from the technical stability that is becoming increasingly evident on the pitch.
In a related context, Conceição praised the outstanding performances of the team's stars, singling out the duo of Moussa Diaby and Muhannad Al-Shanqiti, emphasizing that they are key pillars of his plans. He commented, "The two are performing at a fantastic level and contributing significantly to the team; they are game-changers. Overall, I am completely satisfied with the team's upward trajectory after achieving five consecutive victories.".
Regarding the sensitive issue of player Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Conceição continued his policy of distancing himself from media conflicts, preferring to maintain stability in the locker room. He responded diplomatically, stating that he would only speak about the players who participated in the match, refusing to delve into any details that might spark controversy or distract the team at this crucial stage of the season.
The Al-Ittihad coach concluded his remarks by addressing the winter transfer window and the team's future, emphasizing that his focus remains entirely on the current squad and the remaining matches of the first half of the season. He stated, "Whether the transfer window opens or not, my focus is on working with my current team. Player movement, with arrivals and departures, is a natural part of football, but we are taking things one step at a time. We have four crucial matches ahead to finish the first half of the season, and the second half will be a long marathon requiring the highest level of concentration.".
