Old Wound, New Blow: Rajković’s Injury Rattles Al-Ittihad in a Busy October

Al-Ittihad learned of a shock setback as their Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajković picked up an injury while with his national team ahead of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers in Europe.

He started as a substitute to watch Serbia lose 0-1 to Albania on Saturday in Group 11 of the European qualifying campaign.

Within 24 hours, the Serbian FA announced his withdrawal from the squad traveling to Andorra for another European qualifier.

The federation said Rajković is suffering from pain in his right thigh, the same area where he underwent surgery four months ago.

Raiković's Injury History

Rajković first sustained a thigh muscle injury during Al-Ittihad's 3-2 win over Al-Shabab on April 1, in the King Cup semi-final.

The problem sidelined him for about a month, before he returned in the 3-2 victory over Al-Nassr on May 7, in Round 30 of the Saudi Pro League.

After playing the next two matches against Al-Fayha and Al-Raed (Rounds 31 and 32), he missed the last two league games against Al-Shabab and Damac.

He started in the season-ending King Cup final on May 30, leading Al-Ittihad to a 3-1 win over Al-Qadisiyah.

After the campaign, Rajković underwent surgery to recover from the injury, causing him to miss the Saudi Super Cup semi-final against Al-Nasr and the opening league game against Al-Akhhdoud.

He returned to action on Sept 12 in a 4-2 win over Al-Fateh, but was sent off after 58 minutes, ruling him out of the next fixture.

The Serbian keeper then featured in subsequent games, including the league clash with Al-Nassr (a 0-2 defeat) and in Asia's Champions League Elite versus Al-Wahda and Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, where his side lost 1-2 and 0-1 respectively.

Following the season, Serbia's national team recalled him during the international window, but he sat on the bench in the opener against Albania and was omitted from the second qualifier against Andorra.

A Notable Absence

Rajković's absence will be keenly felt by Al-Ittihad's coach, Portuguese manager Sergio Conceição, who had hoped to rely on all his first-choice players at the start of the campaign.

The goalkeeper has been the club's undisputed starter this season, turning out in five matches and conceding six goals, with only one clean sheet.

In his absence, the defense has shipped five goals in four games — including a 1-2 loss to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final — while Mohammed Al-Absi conceded three goals in three league games, keeping a clean sheet once.

The setback underscores how fragile the start of the campaign can feel when you’re trying to balance domestic and continental duties.

Upcoming Tests

The October schedule promises more trials, beginning with a trip to Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League.

The October 17 clash could be the softest test in a month likely to be a measuring stick for Al-Ittihad's character and depth.

Next, Al-Ittihad head to Iraq to face Al-Shorta on October 20 in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage, West Asia, as both teams push for a strong continental run.

The month also features a double derby: on October 24, Al-Ittihad hosts Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, with the visitors boasting a growing edge under Italian coach Simone Inzaghi.

Four days later comes a cup clash as Al-Ittihad visits Al-Nasr in the King Cup Round of 16, a chance for both sides to reset and show their mettle in a knockout setting.

The rest of October will define whether Al-Ittihad can stabilize and maximize the potential of their squad despite the setback, or if the injuries will continue to bite as the season intensifies.

Punchline 1: If injuries were transfers, this one would be a loan with no option to buy. Welcome to the fantasy loan where the asset never arrives on the field, but the paperwork keeps going to the trainer’s room.

Punchline 2: The thigh is so dramatic it has its own fan club — every time it flares up, even the ball pretends to be shy and stays away for a while.