Baghdad-Bound: Al-Ahli’s Strategic Push to Tame Iraq’s Al-Shorta in Asia's Elite Clash
18 December 2025
Road to Baghdad
Saudi Al-Ahli heads to Baghdad on Sunday ahead of the Asian mission.
German coach Matthias Jaissle mapped out the plan and preparations for the squad to face the Iraqi Police in the Elite AFC Champions League.
Fixture details
Al-Ahli will meet Police at Al-Zawraa Stadium on Monday for the sixth match in the Asian competition, which the Saudi side currently holds the title to.
Saudi outlet Al-Riyadiyah notes that Al-Ahli decided to fly to Baghdad on a private plane on Sunday.
Jaissle planned just one training session at the match venue, with the squad returning to Saudi Arabia immediately after the game.
Team news
Al-Ahli will be missing several key players who joined their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations: goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, midfielder Franck Kessié, and winger Riyad Mahrez.
Al-Ahli sit fourth in the West Group with 10 points from five matches.
Punchline 1: If tactics were a flight plan, Jaissle filed it with extra legroom and a guaranteed landing on a winning note.
Punchline 2: And if the match goes to penalties, the ball will be the one with the best travel itinerary.
