Al Ain’s Big Boost: Rahimi and Shadhli Return to Strengthen Title Bid

Match Preview

Al Ain head coach Vladimir Ivić warned that Saturday's clash with Bani Yas, in the sixth round of the ADNOC Pro League, will not be easy as the opposition will look different after the break. The Serbian coach noted that the opponent changed its coach and benefited from two weeks of intensive work, expecting a strong contest that requires high focus and effort from start to finish, with the objective of victory, though the path will not be smooth.

In the pre match briefing, Ivić stressed that the challenge will demand full concentration and hard work from the opening whistle, and that the team must stay positive and resilient to claim the win as always.

Return of Rahimi and Shadhli; Squad Depth

Several players have joined training in recent days and the squad is pushing for full readiness for the rest of the season, especially for this important match, with a commitment to being ready 100% from kickoff to the final whistle.

On Rahimi’s return after a long injury layoff, Ivić said Rahimi trained with the group over the past two weeks and will be ready; a decision on whether he starts or comes off the bench will be made later, but Rahimi is a crucial player. His return, along with Nasim Al-Shadhli, strengthens the team and makes it tougher and more prepared for the challenge.

Additionally, the coach discussed how the break was used to benefit the squad: we used the period well to work with all players, giving opportunities to Under-23s; Niang, who joined during the break, has shown development, and I enjoy working with the youngsters and pushing them to compete for a starting spot, even though playing for a top club is never easy.

At the end, Ivić expressed gratefulness to the staff and players after winning the Manager of the Month award for the second consecutive time, saying the award is not his alone but a tribute to everyone who works with him and to the players who are the main reason for this success, along with the excellent coaching staff.

Rafael Rodrigues, an Al Ain player, spoke about the positive atmosphere inside the squad and the Winning Spirit fueling the team’s ambition to excel in every match. In the buildup to the Bani Yas game, he noted that joining Al Ain gave him a sense of belonging, highlighting the club’s history and professionalism extending beyond the pitch.

Rodrigues added that his arrival has given him comfort and that the club has a large, passionate fanbase who support the team not only on matchdays but in daily life; he pledged to repay that love with strong performances and results worthy of the club’s name and tradition.

Al Ain sit top of the league with 13 points, two ahead of second-placed Al Wahda. Over the first five rounds, the team has scored 10 goals and conceded 4, recording four wins and a draw. In addition, Amadou Niang, 20, has renewed his contract through 2029 as part of the club’s strategy to retain promising young players and build a squad capable of competing domestically and continentally in the coming years; Niang has appeared in five matches this season and has one assist, underlining his growing potential.