Luck Walks Out: Ittihad's Rocky Start in AFC Elite Sparks Urgent Questions
30 septembre 2025
Match Recap
In the AFC Champions League Elite group stage, Al-Ittihad hosted Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai and were edged 1-0 as fortune largely stayed away from the Saudi giants. Interim coach Hassan Khalifa, who took charge after Laurent Blanc left, described a day of changes aimed at turning the tide, but ultimately the result remained stubbornly against them.
Khalifa admitted the first half was slow, but noted the substitutes gave the team an attacking spark in the second half, as players fought hard and pressed for chances while acknowledging they were unable to convert.
The defeat left Al-Ittihad without a point after two games, with Shabab Al-Ahli moving to four points. Al-Hilal topped the group with six, setting a tough pace for the rest of the West zone.
The lone goal came from Iranian Saeed Ezzatollah, who headed home from a well-delivered corner whipped by Federico Cartabia in the 40th minute, beating goalkeeper Bridrag Rajkovic.
Al-Ittihad sits 11th in the West group; Shabab Al-Ahli hold four points in fifth; the leaders are Al-Hilal on six.
Under the new coach, Khalifa outlined the changes: Ahmed Al-Ghamdi was moved to right back to boost attack, Musa Diaby was repositioned, and Roger moved to the right wing; both players are right-footed. The adjustments offered some options, but they were not fully decisive.
He added that Al-Ittihad remains a club of champions and that the season is in its early days; a pause will be used to reorganize, and the fans appreciated the players for giving their all despite the result.
There were tense moments after the final whistle as Saad Al-Mousa protested the refereeing, and captain Karim Benzema left the pitch in anger. Some fans whistled at players as they greeted supporters on their way off the field.
It was Benzema's first continental appearance, having missed the opener due to a hamstring injury sustained in training ahead of the second round with Fath.
Defeat marked the worst continental start in Ittihad history, with two losses from two games. The club has not endured such a start in recent years, prompting a wave of calls for a tougher, more decisive leadership to restore the club identity.
Fans urged swift action to appoint a hard-nosed coach who can extract the best from the players and bring back a fighting spirit for the rest of the campaign.
Looking Ahead
There is little time to regroup. Al-Ittihad will face Al-Fayha on October 17 in the Saudi Pro League, return to the AFC Champions League Elite on October 20 against the Iraqi Police, and then play the Classico against Al-Hilal on October 24 in the league, all while trying to salvage their season.
The management faces a pivotal decision as they balance domestic and continental duties and seek to restore the team’s identity and confidence.
Punchline 1: If our defense were a sniper, it would keep missing the target and still collect a medal for persistence—at least the wind gets its share of credit.
Punchline 2: The only thing sharper than the players’ boots tonight was the referee’s whistle—looks like luck filed an official complaint with the VAR.
