Conceição Sets the Tone: Ittihad Faces Nasaf in a Testy AFC Elite Showdown
22 December 2025
Match Preview
The Portuguese Sérgio Conceição, head coach of Al-Ittihad Jeddah, confirmed the difficulty of facing Nasaf Qarshi in the Al-Inmaa Stadium, during the sixth round of the league phase of the Elite AFC Champions League for the 2025-2026 season.
“Our first match after the break will be with a big ambition against a tough opponent, and their ranking does not reflect their performance, and we are ready for the challenge,” Conceição said at the pre-match press conference.
“The break period was important and we waited for it, and any coach cannot change the team in two weeks, but we did important work and there is still a lot ahead and we need endurance, we take each match one by one, we used the period to work with the players.”
For the preparation period we applied a special tactic, we worked on defensive transitions and offensive/defensive shifts and the pressing area, and on mental and physical aspects; some trainings were not easy but I am happy with the players' attitude.
Regarding the duo of Al-Ittihad, Saleh Al Shehri and Abdulrahman Al Aboud returning late, we'll see their readiness before tomorrow's clash, and Hossam Awwar has an injury and we wish him a speedy recovery.
He also praised the Al-Ittihad fans, saying: “They are our source of inspiration and strength, the number one players for us, because they are on the field even before kickoff.”
On comments by the Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard about giving local players a chance with their clubs, he replied: “Local players have high capabilities and I cannot comment on his opinion; we always work for the benefit of Al-Ittihad, and they receive salaries from the club; whenever the national team coach calls them, you will find them ready.”
The Tigers sit in eighth place with 5 points; in contrast, the Uzbek team lies at the bottom (12th) with zero points.
Punchline 1: If strategy were a dish, Conceição's recipe would be defend with flair, attack with patience, and garnish with fans—bon appétit.
Punchline 2: After the break, even the ball looked at us and asked for autographs from the players—it's trying to stay in shape by being touched by greatness.
