Pressure Meets Progress: Conceicao Bets on a Bold ACL Run with Al-Ittihad

Mindset Under Pressure

Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, Al-Ittihad's manager, says he fully understands the pressures and criticism surrounding a club of this size, stressing that he wasn’t surprised by the reactions and is ready to deal with them as part of big-team life.

Al-Ittihad are preparing to face Al-Duhail of Qatar tomorrow in the fifth round of the Elite AFC Champions League, a test for a side eager to keep its positive run after wins over the Iraqi Police and Sharjah FC.

What Conceicao Said Before Duhail

Conceicao noted that he knew from the outset the task would not be easy, recognizing the challenges ahead, yet arriving convinced that he could succeed and move past this phase.

The period of his arrival was not the best, but he views that as part of football. The team works day by day to improve, correct mistakes, and refine every detail that leads to victories and to delight the Al-Ittihad fans.

The Portuguese coach emphasized that the match has its own conditions and that they studied the rival well, knowing some Duhail players from past stints, with a clear objective: win and nothing else.

He concluded that management did not set a specific trophy target, but that Al-Ittihad always plays for titles. The focus now is tomorrow’s game, though fatigue from the schedule cannot be denied.

Fatigue Concerns and Team Spirit

Fatigue worries were raised by defender Danilo Pereira, who spoke about the weight of the packed schedule on the squad.

The veteran Portuguese player said the time to prepare is tight, but the team will enter the game with full concentration to win and please the fans.

Regarding recent red cards that affected some players, Pereira stressed that they were not intentional and impacted the team, yet they managed the situation well and delivered important wins.

Current ACL Stance and Recent Form

The team remains focused on solidifying its place in the Elite ACL, currently sixth in the Western Conference with six points, a tally that doesn’t fully reflect the club’s ambitions but keeps their continental hopes alive.

Points in the third and fourth rounds came from a 4-1 win over the Iraqi Police and a 3-0 victory over Sharjah, signaling a tougher, more organized performance compared with earlier phases of the campaign.

This run followed a rough start that included a 1-2 defeat to Al-Wahda and a 0-1 loss to Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, prompting questions about their level before they recovered to collect six points.

Although sixth now, Al-Ittihad remains in the race, especially with decisive rounds ahead that could alter the group standings, as the competition uses a Western-region table to determine advancement.

The coach Conceicao hopes for strong results in the remaining group stages to climb the standings and keep the club’s continental dreams alive.

What Lies Ahead for Al-Ittihad?

Al-Ittihad enters a pivotal phase, facing several heavy challenges that test their willingness to compete across all fronts—Roshen Saudi League, the King’s Cup, and the Elite ACL, which grows tougher with each round.

The first challenge is maintaining balance across three competitions, with league success requiring steady results and consistency against rivals like Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli.

A slight slip could widen the gap, so the team needs more composed performances at home and away.

The King’s Cup operates at a different tempo, demanding high focus in every match since a single error can mean an early exit.

And the Elite ACL remains the biggest test, given the strength of opponents and the variety of tactical styles they will face.

In short, Al-Ittihad must balance ambitions across all fronts and push to lift trophies while navigating a heavy schedule.

Staying sharp across league, cup, and Asia is essential, and confidence remains if the squad remains physically and mentally prepared.

Conceicao and the squad are counting on a strong finish in the group to climb the standings and keep continental dreams alive.

What comes next is a test of character as they aim to prove they belong among Asia’s elite.

Punchline 1: If pressure built cars, Conceicao would already be racing a spaceship. He loves a good challenge and apparently has a full tank of ambition.

Punchline 2: When the schedule is this tight, even time zones file a complaint about overtime—yet the team just keeps grinding with a grin.