Conceicao Concedes Al-Ahli’s Edge in the Jeddah Derby and Explains the Loss

Match fallout

Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, manager of Al-Ittihad, conceded that Al-Ahli showed the better performance in several aspects during the Jeddah derby in Round 8 of the Roshen Saudi Pro League.

Riyad Mahrez struck the decisive goal in the 55th minute to seal a victory for Al-Ahli, lifting the Reds back to winning ways and deepening Al-Ittihad’s difficulties in league form and in the competition they are supposed to defend.

Conceicao spoke at the post-match press conference, saying the fixture was tough and that his side lacked intensity both with and without the ball.

“We knew the game would be hard; we created chances, but it was difficult,” he said. “To compete for top spots, we must play with more heart and conviction.”

He added, “We tried to create opportunities, but it was a tough night; a single-goal affair often comes down to small margins.”

And he continued to critique his team, noting, “We didn’t want the game to end in that fashion; it wasn’t a pretty encounter.”

“There was a lot of time-wasting as the opponent sat back, and overall the match wasn’t good,” Conceicao explained, stressing the need for greater spirit and urgency to win.

The coach also revealed the rival’s edge stemmed from their players approaching the derby with more spirit at key moments, which made the difference.

Asked about the omission of midfielder Mahmoud Doumbia and Benzema’s lack of substitution, he replied with a touch of humor, “That’s your view and we respect the fans, but if the result had been different, everyone would be an analyst.”

“Roger played the match against Al-Nasr and we were successful; in training we worked on a specific strategy, and applying it could have changed the outcome,” he added.

Conceicao also noted that Doumbia had been praised for his ball retention after the Sharjah match, but conceded that the overall performance did not meet expectations in this game.

Al-Ahli’s victory and its aftermath

The derby concluded with a 1-0 win for Al-Ahli, lifting them to 16 points in fifth place, while Al-Ittihad remained on 11 points in eighth.

There were numerous tactical and technical points to dissect that contributed to the result, with several moments judged pivotal in the analysis to come.

Defensive shape and discipline

Both teams began cautiously, backing off and inviting pressure rather than committing to expansive play. Al-Ahli lined up with a 4-3-3 at times, while Al-Ittihad employed a flexible 4-2-3-1 that sometimes shifted to a 4-4-2 to clog openings for the opposition.

There was little first-half danger as both sides pressed and closed spaces effectively, preventing clean buildup. Conceicao’s decision to push Adnan Wasef into deeper midfield roles aimed to curb Al-Ahli’s flanks and risk-free passing, but it tended to slow the tempo.

On the other side, Al-Ahli countered with a compact defense and strategic pressing, forcing mistakes and controlling the pace at critical periods of the game.

Key errors and strategic gaps

Conceicao cited a series of missteps, notably the absence of Doumbia in the engine room which weakened ball progression and control in midfield.

The team’s inability to build from the back and sustain possession under pressure contributed to a lopsided balance in the middle third, hampering offensive creativity.

Although Nagui Kanté offered bursts of drive, he did not fully unlock the attack, and Doumbia’s absence left a gap in ball circulation that Al-Ahli exploited more efficiently in transitions.

Despite a creative attempt from the wings, the visitors failed to threaten consistently, and Benzema’s involvement did not translate into the desired offensive spark for Al-Ittihad.

In the closing stages, the coach’s call for more aggressive intent and sharper execution remained unfulfilled, sealing the result in favor of Al-Ahli.