Fabinho’s Bold New Backline: Al-Ittihad Brace for Nasaf Qarshi in AFC Elite Showdown

Lineup Spotlight: Fabinho in a New Center-Back Role

The Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, who guides Al-Ittihad, unveiled the official XI for the upcoming clash with Nasaf Qarshi in the AFC Elite Champions League. The game is hosted by Al-Ittihad at the Al-Enma Stadium on Tuesday, in the sixth round of the Elite group stage.

Conceicao has moved Brazilian veteran Fabinho into center-back alongside Portuguese defender Danilo Pereira, filling in for the injured Saad Al-Mousa.

Fabinho’s inclusion in this new defensive position has been tested in recent friendly matches during the break, as a measure to compensate for Al-Mousa’s absence.

On the attacking side, Conceicao sticks with a potent frontline, deploying Karim Benzema and Musa Diaby in support of Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn.

Al-Ittihad sits eighth in the Western group with six points from two wins and three losses, while Nasaf Qarshi searches for its first points after five straight defeats, occupying the bottom spot with zero points.

Starting lineup: Goalkeeper Predrag Raikovic; Defence: Mohannad Al-Shanqeeti, Danilo Pereira, Fabinho, Hassan Kadshi; Midfield: N’Golo Kanté, Hamid Al-Ghamdi, Ahmed Al-Ghamdi; Forwards: Musa Diaby, Karim Benzema, Steven Bergwijn.

Punchline 1: Fabinho at center-back? That’s a fortress move—tight, organized, and probably more boring for commentators than a rainy Sunday without goals.

Punchline 2: If this plan works, the only thing that will leak more than the ball is my snack stash during the match.”