Conceição’s Ittihad: Championship DNA, Yet Growing Pains in a 1-1 Standoff

Match Snapshot

Sérgio Conceição’s first outing as head coach of Al-Ittihad concluded in a 1-1 draw against Al-Fayha at the Majma’ah City Stadium in Round 5 of the Roshen Saudi Pro League. The encounter showcased a clear game plan from Al-Fayha—compact, pressuring high early and exploiting gaps behind the Union defense—while the newcomers on the visiting side looked to find their footing under their new manager.

Al-Fayha carried the initiative in the first half and earned a deserved lead on the brink of halftime when Sakala finished a polished move after a precise pass from Jason. The finish underscored the home side’s organization and the visitors’ struggle to settle into the new tactical setup in defense and build-up play.

In the second half, Al-Ittihad steadied the ship. They gradually imposed themselves, closing the gap with a goal from Ahmed Al-Ghamdi in the 64th minute. The midfielder rose highest to meet a Diaby cross, steering the ball into the far corner and restoring parity for the champions. The goal sparked a late surge as Conceição’s side looked for a late winner.

Despite dominating the final minutes, the decisive moment slipped away when Benzema’s late penalty was saved by the Fayha goalkeeper in the 88th minute. The miss kept the scoreboard level and left both teams with a point apiece, a result that reflected a transitional phase for the hosts and a reminder of the competitive gulf that still needs narrowing amidst a busy schedule.

Conceição: I don’t have a magic wand

In the post-match press conference, Conceição spoke with candor about the task ahead, acknowledging a period of adjustment as the squad builds balance and continuity. He stressed that the team is still in a rebuilding phase, with limited time to impose quick, revolutionary changes. “The game was in two parts,” he explained, noting the short preparation period contributed to an uneven first half and a more cohesive second half as players settled into his system.

He also admitted there were several gifting opportunities in promising positions, with three specialists available to take penalties and opting for Benzema on this occasion. “We must not expect instant miracles; I’m here to build confidence, restructure defense, and organize attacking transitions,” he added, emphasizing patience and collective effort over individual heroics.

As the coach pointed out, the schedule won’t allow a long ramp-up period: two heavyweight fixtures await in quick succession—a Clasico with Al-Hilal at home in Jeddah, followed by a cup clash with Al-Nassr—tests that will reveal how quickly the new regime can take shape.

Pedro Emanuel: A Valuable Point Against a Big Boss

For Al-Fayha, Pedro Emanuel expressed satisfaction with the defensive organization and the result, stressing the challenge of facing a club with global names and a strong trophy pedigree. He highlighted the impact of the international break and the missing players, framing the point as a positive outcome under testing circumstances. Emanuel noted Fayha’s tactical approach, designed to curb two of Ittihad’s primary threats, and praised the collective discipline that kept the game balanced for long stretches.

He also addressed the controversial penalty decision, signaling that the final call rests with the officials while praising his squad’s readiness to execute the plan despite disruption from suspensions and international duties. “We collected eight points from five rounds in a tough league—an encouraging sign that we’re heading in the right direction,” Emanuel said, signaling resilience and ambition from a mid-table team on a mission to climb higher.

A Rocky Start, Big Tests Ahead for the Union

With the draw, Al-Ittihad sits on 10 points in fourth place after a hard-fought engagement that underscored both the progress and the gaps in Conceição’s early tenure. Al-Fayha climbs to ninth with eight points, marking one of their better starts in recent seasons. The result confirms that the title-contender label comes with high expectations and that building momentum requires grit and long-term planning, especially after the club’s managerial change in October.

The upcoming fixtures will be pivotal. The club hosts their arch-rivals Al-Hilal in a high-stakes clash that could redefine their trajectory in the title race. Then comes the King’s Cup round of 16 against Al-Nassr on October 28, a match that could carry extra weight in terms of morale and confidence. Conceição will be keen to see a sharper attack and a more solid defense as his ideas take root.

Overall, the lesson from the night is simple: you can chase perfection, but you’ll probably settle for rhythm. And rhythm is exactly what Conceição needs to stitch together, one carefully placed pass at a time, if the team is to live up to its champion pedigree.

For now, the message is clear: expect patience, expect calls for focus, and expect a few more hard-fought evenings before the promised sunrise of a truly cohesive, dominant Ittihad side.