Clash in the Desert: Ittihad Jeddah’s Comeback Drive Against Sharjah in the AFC Elite

Ittihad Jeddah received a meaningful morale lift ahead of their Asian clash with Sharjah, scheduled for Tuesday in Jeddah, as a string of returning players rejoin training and push for competitive minutes. The squad aims to clinch three points to bolster their push for advancement in the Elite group of the AFC Champions League, a competition that has demanded resilience from the Saudi powerhouse this season.

The team travels into the game with eyes on the prize, aware that a strong result could stabilize their position in a gruelling group. After a season that has tested their depth, the coaching staff faces a choice between preserving fitness and exploiting momentum, with a few senior players eager to make a statement on a continental stage.

Al-Ittihad currently sit seventh in the West standings, having registered a win against Al-Shorta and suffered defeats to Al-Wehda and Shabab Al-Ahli. A home win would not only tighten their grip on a knockout berth but also inject momentum into a campaign that has swung from highs to lows, and back again, with the supporters hoping for a dramatic late flourish.

On the opposite bench, Sharjah occupy sixth with four points, thanks to a 4-3 win over Al-Gharafa and a 1-1 draw with Al-Sadd, followed by a heavy 5-0 defeat to Tractor. The Emirati side will be eager for a wake-up call against a familiar rival, looking to recapture the balance they demonstrated earlier in the campaign and to strike a counterpunch when opportunities arise. A positive result would be a significant statement in a pool stacked with quality and intent.

Meanwhile, Ittihad will again rely on the energy of their home crowd to lift the team, especially after a dramatic comeback in domestic action that ended 4-4 with Al-Ghazz, a result that has been described as one of the season’s most thrilling fixtures. With the stakes high, the atmosphere in Jeddah could become a crucial factor as the teams posture for advantage in the group standings.

Team News, Lineups, and the Benzema Boost

Reports from Saudi outlets indicate that defender Hassan Kadash and winger Abdulrahman Al-Aboud have returned to full training, following their recovery from injuries. Their involvement could be pivotal for Ittihad’s defensive solidity and attacking width, especially in a match that demands control in transition. The squad also welcomed Karim Benzema back to training after missing the previous round through injury, a development that adds a lethal edge and experience up front. Midfield maestro Mohamed Doumbia and Croatian defender Yan Karlo Simic also featured as regulars in the group drills, having been sidelined for different reasons in recent weeks.

Together with those who played against Al-Ghafil, the coaching staff directed the rest of the group through tactical and physical work aimed at sharpening coordination and defensive shape before the showdown. In short, the plan appears to be about maximizing available legs while preserving energy for a demanding sequence of fixtures ahead of the international window.

Danilo Pereira’s suspension looms as a factor, with coach Sergio Conceicao weighing the option to start Simic in a backline role to offset the Portuguese’s absence. Pereira’s red card against Al-Shorta continues to resonate in discussions about defensive organization and leadership, and the manager is expected to balance experience with the need to integrate fresh rotations in a high-stakes match.

Season Storylines and the Big Picture

The season for Ittihad has been a tug-of-war between domestic and continental commitments. They exited the Saudi Super Cup at the hands of Al-Nasr, then navigated a rosary of results in the league that included three wins, two draws, and two losses, a record that reflects both their potential and the need for consistency. The recent comeback against Al-Ghazz has been singled out as a highlight, showing the team’s character and ability to overturn fortunes in dramatic fashion.

In the AFC Champions League Elite, Ittihad endured back-to-back losses to Al-Wahda and Shabab Al-Ahli before recording a 4-1 victory over Al-Shorta to keep their qualification hopes alive. The team now faces a pivotal test against Sharjah, with the heavier domestic schedule looming on the horizon. Meanwhile, the club’s ambitions in the King’s Cup remain in the mix, as they seek to go deeper in the competition as part of a broader rehabilitation phase following a tense fallow period.

Looking ahead, the match against Sharjah is framed as a possible turning point, especially with a string of fixtures against top opponents lined up in November. The league situation remains a tight race, adding extra spice to the forthcoming derby-style clash and raising the temperature around what many fans expect to be a memorable encounter in front of the home crowd. And if you're wagering, remember: football is a game of inches, but the snack selection in the stadium can decide a lot more than you think—a reminder that sometimes the best defense is a good snack strategy. And perhaps a well-timed nap, because adrenaline is expensive, and sleep is free—kind of like a substitute who quietly decides a game without a roar of applause.