Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of the Saudi Al-Ittihad football club, confirmed his team's readiness for their upcoming match against Uzbekistan's Nasaf, scheduled for Tuesday in the AFC Champions League. The Portuguese coach made these remarks during the pre-match press conference, highlighting the team's recent preparations during the international break.
Conceição explained that the break was an important opportunity to regroup and reorganize, but he was realistic in his assessment, emphasizing that dramatic changes or radical shifts in the players' technical and tactical levels cannot happen overnight, or in a short period of no more than two weeks. He said in this regard: “We worked hard on many technical aspects during the break, but the time was relatively short to bring about a complete revolution. Nevertheless, we focused intensively on the mental and physical aspects to ensure the team performs at its best.”.
This match comes within the context of the AFC Champions League, the elite tournament in its new format and name, a competition of paramount importance to Saudi clubs, especially Al-Ittihad. Al-Ittihad, the club that won the continental title twice before in 2004 and 2005, seeks to reclaim its Asian glory and reaffirm its dominance in Asia, particularly given the significant support currently being provided to Saudi sports and the international signings made by clubs to compete at the highest levels.
Speaking about their opponents, Conceição warned against underestimating Uzbekistan's Nasaf, noting that their current position in the standings might be deceptive and not reflect their true strength on the pitch. Uzbek clubs are generally known for their physicality and tactical discipline, making this match a true test of Al-Ittihad's defensive solidity and attacking prowess. The coach added, "Tomorrow's match will be difficult and complex against a strong opponent, and we are determined to deliver a performance worthy of the club's name and continue our journey in the tournament to compete for the title.".
This match carries dimensions that extend far beyond just three points; it represents a crucial step in strengthening the bond between the coach and the Al-Ittihad fans, who eagerly await their team's return to continental glory. Furthermore, a victory in such a match enhances Saudi Arabia's presence on the international stage and underscores the significant progress football is making in the Kingdom, placing a heavy responsibility on the players and coaching staff to deliver a respectable performance.
