Al-Ettifaq's English manager, Steven Gerrard , made a crucial tactical decision ahead of their upcoming match against Al-Hazm, opting not to rush Spanish star Álvaro Medrán into the starting lineup. This decision is a precautionary measure to ensure the player's full recovery and physical readiness for the remainder of the season.
Medran, a key player in Al-Faisaly's midfield, missed the last two matches against Al-Fateh and Al-Wehda due to injury. Based on the medical and technical staff's assessment, Gerard believes that giving the player more time to rest and rehabilitate is the best option to avoid any potential setbacks that could affect his participation with the team in the remainder of the Saudi Professional League .
Medran's importance to Gerrard's tactics
Thirty-one-year-old Álvaro Medrán has been a pivotal player in Gerrard's plans since joining the team. The Spanish player, a product of Real Madrid's academy, has featured in 21 matches this season, contributing four assists in 1,832 minutes of play, highlighting his vital role in building attacks and linking the defense and forwards. His absence presents a challenge for the English manager, who will have to find a suitable replacement to compensate for his ability to control the tempo of the game and his precise passing.
The context of the match and its impact on the league standings
Ettifaq enters the game looking to improve their position in the league table, currently sitting in seventh place with 38 points, and aims to climb towards the Asian Champions League qualification spots. A victory in this match would significantly boost their chances of achieving this goal and provide a major morale boost.
On the other hand, Al- Hazm a very precarious situation, languishing at the bottom of the league table and fighting for survival. Every point is crucial for Al-Hazm in their battle to escape relegation. Therefore, they are expected to play with a high level of fighting spirit, making the match a difficult and complex one for Al-Ettifaq, especially given the absence of one of their key players.
The Al-Hazm Club stadium in Al-Rass is scheduled to host this important match on Friday evening, as part of the twenty-fourth round of the Roshan Professional League, in a match that promises a lot of excitement and competitiveness between Al-Ettifaq’s ambitions in the golden square and Al-Hazm’s hopes of staying.
