Stars Align for a Celebrity Cup Showdown: Ittihad’s Foreign Dream Team Faces Al-Nassr

Fernandez Returns as Ittihad Fields a Full Foreign Cast

Al-Ittihad heads into the King Salman Cup clash against Al-Nassr with a full foreign contingent back in action after Roger Fernandes recovered from a thigh injury, boosting the squad ahead of one of this season’s most anticipated fixtures.

Complete Foreign Lineup and Injury Updates

The club counts 12 foreign players in its list, with up to 10 permitted to feature in Cup ties and eight allowed in league play. Fernandes’ comeback leaves coach Sérgio Conceição with abundant options as the team prepares for the knockout rounds in Riyadh’s First Park, shaping a tactical puzzle that could tilt the balance in their favor.

Key Foreign Stars on Show

Among the premium foreigners available are Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Moussa Diaby, and Houssem Aouar, joined by Danilo Pereira, Roger Fernandes, Fabinho, Steven Bergwijn, Mario Mitai, Predrag Rajković, and Nikola Simić. Their presence promises both scoring punch and defensive solidity as the team plans to seize the Cup’s prestige.

Kadsh’s Absence and Defensive Adjustments

In defense, Hassan Kadsh remains sidelined due to ongoing recovery, leaving the backline to adapt as the match nears. The absence introduces some defensive uncertainty, but the wealth of foreign talent provides options for reshaping the unit.

Conceiçao’s Cup Challenge

Coach Sérgio Conceição has steered a careful build-up, with recovery-focused sessions for starters and intensive technical work for the rest. The Cup debut under his tenure is framed as a test of balance and preparation, with a lineup designed to unleash the depth of the squad.

Past Encounters and Cup History

Al-Nassr advanced to this round with a big win over Jeddah, while Al-Ittihad edged Al-Wahda to secure their passage. The reigning Cup champions, Al-Ittihad, are chasing a sixth title as rivals like Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli look to extend their own legacies; the path to the quarterfinals will be decided this week, with the draw set to be announced in the Eight network studios.

Tuesday’s date marks a critical chapter in a season defined by high-stakes clashes and star power, where the ball could decide everything more decisively than a last-minute joke at a press conference.

Punchline 1: If this squad had a motto, it would be “Goal first, questions later”—and yes, the net signs back every time.

Punchline 2: With Benzema, Kanté and friends, the ball speaks more languages than most commentators—yet it always shouts “goal” in the end.