Derby in Jeopardy: European Tactics, Saudi Firepower and 11 Foreigners on Show

German coach Matthias Jaissle of Al Ahli is trying to outthink his Portuguese counterpart Sergio Conceicao of Al Ittihad ahead of the Jeddah Derby in the Saudi Pro League.

The match, scheduled for today at the Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, marks the eighth round of the season and promises a high-octane showdown between the two giants.

According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya, Jaissle has summoned all foreign players for the meeting, with no one ruled out so far. Every foreign player was included in the final training session ahead of the derby, keeping last‑minute decisions open for the coach.

Jaissle has not yet settled on the left-back option next to his chosen central pairing, leaving speculation around which eight foreigners will ultimately take the field in this fiery clash.

In the pre-match context, the match has been framed as a test of the managers’ depth and decision‑making as Jaissle and Conceicao weigh eight foreign players against a dynamic domestic backbone.

Both teams posted intense preparations in the days leading up to the game, with Al Ahli fielding a fully foreign-heavy squad in the final rehearsal and Al Ittihad weighing their foreign contingent amid a key suspension that limits available options.

According to Al-Riyadhiya, Al Ahli can field eleven foreign players overall, including eight players over the age limit and three under the age cap. The over-age group features goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, defenders Merih Demiral and Roger Ibanez, and defender Zakaria Houssawi, with Franck Kessié, Enzo Milot, and Matheus Gonçalves in midfield, and Riyad Mahrez, Galeno, and a forward option among the front line.

Under the age group for Al Ahli are Valentin Atangana, Matheus Gonçalves, and Matteo Dams, adding youthful energy to the tactical mix.

For Al Ittihad, Conceicao faces a genuine dilemma about which foreigners to trust in the derby, with an already evident balance of experience and suspension managing the squad’s foreign quota. He has brought back French winger Moussa Diaby to the late‑stage training and is monitoring Karim Benzema’s fitness as well, following his recent return from injury and participation in training sessions.

The absence of Fabinho on the foreign list due to suspension compounds Conceicao’s headaches, while defender Saud Al-Mousa’s injury (announced as sidelined) tightens the options at the back.

Foreigners in the Spotlight

To date, Conceicao has 11 foreign players at his disposal for the derby and must trim to eight before kickoff. The foreign contingent includes Predrag Rajković in goal, a back line featuring Daniilo Pereira, Sergio Conceicao’s defensive partners, and a midfield spine led by N'Golo Kanté alongside Mamadou Doumbia and Fiisal Al-Ghamdi. Up front, the coach can call on Karim Benzema, Moussa Diaby, Steven Bergwijn, and Riyad Mahrez in attack.

Another image in the build-up shows a QR‑level of tactical detail: Rajković, Pereira, Ibanez, Demiral, Houssawi, Kanté, Doumbia, Al-Ghamdi, Bergwijn, Diaby, Benzema, Mahrez, and Diaby again in the mix as the derby looms.

Ahli’s Path to Domestic Redemption

Al Ahli head into the match aiming to reboot their domestic form after a run of inconsistent results, despite a recent continental win against the Qatari side Al-Sadd in the AFC Elite Cup, which has boosted morale heading into the big clash with their city rivals.

Currently sitting sixth with 13 points from three wins and four draws, the team has been propped by a potent frontline trio of Mahrez, Galeno, and an in-form center-forward option, yet questions remain over goal production and consistency in attack.

Expected XI for Al Ahli and Al Ittihad

Al Ahli starting lineup (probables):

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy; Defense: Ali Majrashi, Merih Demiral, Roger Ibanez, Zakaria Houssawi; Midfield: Franck Kessié, Enzo Milot, Matheus Gonçalves; Attack: Riyad Mahrez, Galeno, [center-forward].

Al Ittihad starting lineup (probables):

Goalkeeper: Predrag Rajković; Defense: Mohan Al-Shenqiti, Danilo Pereira, Mario Mitai, Hassan Kaddish; Midfield: N'Golo Kanté, Mamadou Doumbia, Faisal Al-Ghamdi; Attack: Steven Bergwijn, Moussa Diaby, Karim Benzema.

In short, the derby is less about a single 90-minute script and more about who can translate a crowded foreign roster into a coherent, winning plan on the day.

Punchline time: If this derby were a movie, it would be a multilingual blockbuster where every line is subtitles and every goal is a plot twist. Punchline 2: With eight foreigners likely to feature, the passport control at kickoff will be longer than the highlight reel—but hey, at least the goals will be international language practice!