Embers in Jeddah: Unveiling the Ittihad–Al-Ahli Derby Turmoil

Match recap

Al-Ittihad, led by Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, fell to city rivals Al-Ahli at the Al-Inma Stadium in the eighth round of the Saudi Pro League. The result piles pressure on Conceicao, who replaced the former coach after a string of domestic results. Al-Ahli’s win lifts them to 16 points in fifth place, while Al-Ittihad remains on 11 points, hovering in eighth.

Coaching and locker room dynamics

Trusted journalist Santi Ona revealed that relations between Conceicao and several players are strained, affecting training sessions and match decisions. Players reportedly feel the tactically intense approach may not suit the team’s character at this moment.

On-field and off-field debates

The derby stirred its usual mix of drama, including disputes about refereeing and discipline. Conceicao emphasized that the difficulty lay in finding urgency both with and without the ball, urging his squad to play with more spirit if they want to compete at the top. He also hinted that results depend as much on mindset as on tactics.

In the aftermath, the coach faced questions about player selection and substitutions, joking that if the game had ended differently, everyone would become a football analyst—an idea he both entertained and warned against.

Punchline 1: If patience were a sport, Conceicao would hold the world record for waiting for the perfect moment that never arrives.

Punchline 2: In football as in life, when the locker room runs hot, the coffee tastes like strategy—and still can’t warm the defense.