Al-Ittihad, the reigning Saudi Professional League champions, received a welcome boost with the return of their stalwart defender Ahmed Sharahili to full fitness. This represents a significant improvement for the team ahead of their upcoming match against Al-Fayha in the 22nd round of the competition. Sharahili's return comes at a crucial time as Al-Ittihad seeks to get back on track and improve their position in the league table, which falls short of the high expectations that surrounded the team at the start of the season.
Sharahili had been sidelined after sustaining an injury during a training session prior to the team's match against Al-Nassr in the 20th round of the league. His absence significantly impacted the team's defensive stability, which suffered from conceding goals in some crucial matches. His full recovery and return to play represent a vital strategic option for the coach, providing him with more options to bolster the defensive solidity the team lacked in his absence.
The importance of the match in the context of the season
The Tigers enter this match in seventh place in the Roshan League standings with 34 points, a position that falls short of the ambitions of the club's fans, who had hoped to compete for the title again this season, especially after the significant reinforcements the team received with the addition of world-class stars like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho. Therefore, every upcoming match is considered a final, with no room for error, as the team strives to accumulate as many points as possible to secure a spot in next season's Asian competitions.
On the other hand, Al-Fayha enters the match in eleventh place with 23 points, aiming for a positive result to distance themselves from the relegation zone and secure their mid-table position. Matches against Al-Fayha are known for their competitiveness and difficulty, making this encounter a real challenge for Al-Ittihad.
The expected impact of Sharahili's return
The return of Ahmed Sharahili is expected to restore balance to Al-Ittihad's defense. The player possesses excellent game reading skills, precise tackles, and extensive experience in the Saudi league. His presence will instill greater confidence in his teammates in defense and the goalkeeper, and may allow the team to implement bolder attacking strategies while maintaining a solid defensive foundation. His return is not only a technical boost but also a morale booster for the team as a whole.
Al-Ittihad is scheduled to host Al-Fayha on Friday, in a match in which fans of “Al-Ameed” are looking forward to seeing their team regain its winning form and return strongly to compete for the top positions in the Roshan Professional League standings.
