Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, manager of the first football team at Al-Ittihad Club, revealed the real reasons behind the continued exclusion of Albanian professional Mario Mitai from the team’s roster for the fifth time in a row, following the defeat suffered by Al-Ittihad against Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Professional League competitions.
The Portuguese coach's remarks came during the post-match press conference held at Al-Inma Stadium, where he put an end to the recent speculation and rumors surrounding the player's future. Conceição stated clearly: "Mario Mitaë is firmly in my plans and an integral part of my future strategy with the team. The current rumors about a personal issue with the player or any intention to let him leave are completely unfounded." He further explained the underlying reason: "The current situation is purely a technical matter concerning the number of foreign players allowed on the matchday squad list, which forces us to make difficult decisions every week.".
Challenges facing the foreign players list in the Roshan League
This decision comes amidst the challenges faced by major clubs in Saudi Arabia, particularly those owned by the Public Investment Fund, in balancing the presence of international stars in their squads with the regulations of the Professional League. These regulations stipulate a specific number of foreign players per matchday, placing significant pressure on coaches to select the most suitable lineup based on the specific needs of each game. This explains the absence of Mitai, despite his physical readiness and lack of injuries. The coach confirmed that the exclusion was a purely "technical decision" aimed at maintaining balance on the field.
Details of the agreement's confrontation and its impact
Al-Ittihad suffered a painful 1-0 defeat against Al-Ettifaq in their league match. The only goal of the game came from Khalid Al-Ghannam, whose powerful and precise shot found the back of the net, leaving Al-Ittihad's Serbian goalkeeper, Predrag Rajkovic, helpless.
This defeat casts a shadow over the team's overall performance, intensifying the competition in the Roshan League and placing the coaching staff under intense public scrutiny, especially given the high expectations of Al-Ittihad fans for the team to compete for all titles this season. Managing the foreign players, including Mario Mitaë, is one of the most crucial issues that will determine the team's trajectory in the upcoming rounds. Coach Conceição must find the ideal combination that allows him to utilize all available players effectively without disrupting the team's overall harmony.
