Conceicao Stakes His Ground: I Could Still Outplay Al-Ittihad Players at Fifty

Post-match verdict from Conceicao

The Portuguese coach Sérgio Conceição, head coach of Al-Ittihad Jeddah, launched a sharp critique of his players after their 4-2 defeat at Al-Duhail in the fifth round of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage.

Al-Ittihad’s tally remained at six points, dropping to seventh in the West Asia group standings, while Al-Duhail increased to seven and moved to sixth.

Conceição said he felt deep sorrow and that the Qatari side fully deserved the win.

He added that there is not much to say after such a shocking result, noting it reflected a lack of balance between attack and defense within his squad. He said the team tried to push forward and create chances, but the defensive reaction was non existent, leaving the goal exposed throughout large spells of the match.

He stressed that it was the first time he has lived through such a moment, describing the players as if they were merely names on the pitch without real presence or commitment to the roles required.

He noted that despite being over 50, he feels capable of playing at the same tempo his players lack, insisting that the problem was not in ideas but in their execution.

Conceição also spoke about the substitutions, saying they arrived at the right moments, and that making early changes would not have changed the course of the game.

He remarked that the team entered with a clear plan, but the players failed to implement it, so the changes aimed to adjust the concept and restore performance.

He closed his remarks by apologizing to Al-Ittihad fans, stressing that the team would try to correct the course in the coming period, and that the season remains long and offers a chance to return in a better shape.

Negative accumulations

The defeat was not seen as a one-off result but as the culmination of technical, physical, and tactical flaws that were evident throughout the match.

Key problems cited included a lack of defensive organization, poor reactions on the field, and tactical superiority by the Qatari side in exploiting details and attacking space behind the defense.

Defensive disarray was evident from the early minutes, with the backline appearing unable to handle rapid transitions.

The Qatar side operated with five defenders but intelligently shifted back into an aggressive attacking shape after winning the ball, exploiting the large gaps behind Al-Ittihad’s defense, a pattern that was repeated in all four goals.

Gaps between lines and reduced coordination in midfield meant the ball was not effectively intercepted, nor was there a slowing of Duhail’s rhythm.

As the team pushed forward, their collapse intensified when losing possession, with weak counter-press and little defensive support on show. The players also returned to positions without focus, allowing Duhail to slice through easily.

The visitors’ stars seemed devoid of spirit and focus, while Duhail operated with greater discipline and intelligence, imposing its style and taking advantage of every misstep.

Continuing decline

The quadruple result represented a continuation of a season already marked by defensive issues, trouble handling teams that rely on transitions, and inconsistency among key players.

Duhail did not win by accident, exploiting every error and turning spaces into goals, while Al-Ittihad failed to protect its goal or assert its identity.

Looking ahead, the team faces a tough run of fixtures that will test its season trajectory and identity, amid mounting pressure from results and fluctuating performances.

Locally, Al-Ittihad is up against more stable opponents, suggesting any additional stumble could shrink its title chances. Regionally, a strong reaction will be required after this heavy defeat, especially with a tight schedule that leaves little time to regain balance.

The Saudi side will need to restore confidence and fix the evident defensive frailty, a task that makes the upcoming period a true test of the club’s resilience and future direction.

At the start of the current campaign the team carried optimism, following last season’s domestic double, yet the winds shifted, leading to the sacking of Laurent Blanc and the appointment of Conceição.

Yet the current results suggest matters have not improved under the Portuguese coach, with tonight perhaps the most telling evidence to date.

Punchline 1: If aging were a formation, Conceição would still be coaching a rock-solid 4-4-2, only with more wisdom and fewer sprints left in the tank.

Punchline 2: He swears he can still play at fifty, which means the copy of the game in his head is in retro mode and the squad forgot to press play.