Sources within Saudi Arabia's Al-Ettifaq club have revealed the true reason behind the absence of veteran Dutch star Georginio Wijnaldum, the first team's captain, from group training sessions over the past two days. The sources confirmed that his absence was not due to technical reasons or injury, as some had speculated, but rather due to personal family circumstances that required him to be away from the pitch temporarily.
The sports community in Dammam is eagerly awaiting the return of the Dutch captain, as the team's coaching staff anticipates his rejoining training on Monday. This is crucial for the final and decisive phase of preparations for the match against Al-Nassr. His return is of paramount importance given his technical skill and leadership qualities in midfield, particularly in high-stakes matches that demand extensive international experience to handle the pressure of opponents.
Critical tests and special equipment
According to press reports from the club, Wijnaldum will undergo a series of rigorous physical and fitness tests upon his return. The coaching staff aims to assess his full readiness before making a final decision on whether to include him in the starting lineup. This is standard protocol in the Roshan Professional League to ensure player safety and their ability to contribute effectively in high-intensity matches.
The importance of the Al-Ettifaq and Al-Nasr match in the Roshan League
These developments come just hours before the highly anticipated match, in which Al-Ettifaq will host Al-Nassr next Tuesday evening at the Ejio Stadium in Dammam, as part of the twelfth round of the Saudi Professional League. Matches between these two teams are always considered classics of Saudi football, attracting a wide following both locally and regionally, given the rich history of both clubs and the star players currently on their rosters.
The match is of strategic importance to both sides; Al-Ettifaq seeks to exploit the home advantage and the support of the fans to achieve a positive result that strengthens its position in the standings, while Al-Nasr aspires to continue competing for the top spot, which makes the presence of a leader of Wijnaldum’s stature a decisive factor in his team’s favor in the midfield battle.
Intensive tactical preparations led by Al-Shehri
On the field, preparations at Al-Ettifaq Club continued unabated, with the team maintaining its intensive training sessions under the supervision of head coach Saad Al-Shehri. The coaching staff focused heavily on physical conditioning to improve fitness levels, in addition to working on well-defined tactical plays to counter the opponent's key players.
The final training session was meticulously organized, with the players divided into four groups, each assigned specific technical and tactical tasks tailored to anticipated match scenarios. The session concluded with a spirited scrimmage in the middle of the pitch, reflecting the team's high fighting spirit and strong desire to reach peak physical and technical readiness before the highly anticipated match kicks off.
