Turning Point in December: Ittihad Aims a Gulf Camp to Reset the Season

A Gulf Camp as a Turning Point

Al-Ittihad, the Jeddah-based champions of the Roshen Pro League, is lining up a pivotal phase for the season. Management, in coordination with Portuguese coach Sérgio Conceição, is shaping a comprehensive training plan during the upcoming break, including a lengthy camp in December that will run alongside the Saudi national team’s participation in the Arab Cup.

The goal of this move is to regain balance after a bumpy start in the league, seeking a reset that could spark a fresh surge as the competition intensifies.

Recently, the team suffered a painful 2-0 defeat to Al Hilal at the Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, leaving the defending champions seventh in the Saudi Pro League with 10 points from six games (3 wins, one draw, two losses).

According to the Saudi daily Al-Riyadhiah, the club plans a prolonged preparatory camp in December to boost both physical and technical readiness during the lengthy break.

One Gulf destination—likely Qatar or the United Arab Emirates—is reportedly favored for hosting the camp, with a final decision to be made in the coming weeks in coordination with the technical staff led by Conceição.

This camp is part of an effort to compensate for the absence of a proper summer training period, which Conceição could not oversee due to his late arrival as the new head coach of the Maroon.

The program is set to include intensive conditioning, friendly matches, and sessions focused on tactical and physical analysis to improve on-field chemistry and overall performance.

Conceição Closes the Clasico Page

The Portuguese coach has moved quickly to put the Clasico behind him, turning attention to the King Cup Round of 16 clash against Al Nassr, seen as a prime opportunity to restore confidence and win back the fans’ trust.

Al-Riyadhiah also noted that Conceição plans to reinstate Dutchman Steven Bergwijn and Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajković in the lineup for the Nassr game, after they were left out for tactical reasons against Al Hilal. Albanian Mario Mitai and Malian Mamadou Doumbia are expected to remain among the eight foreign players allowed in the Saudi Pro League.

The coach did not grant his players a break after the Clasico; the starters carried out recovery sessions while the substitutes engaged in tactical training aimed at correcting defensive errors and improving positioning during quick transitions.

Fan Anger and Mounting Pressure

The loss to Al Hilal triggered widespread anger among the Union’s fan base, who blamed Conceição for controversial tactical calls, notably the omission of the regular goalkeeper Rajković and the choice to start a younger option in goal, which fans say contributed to the concession of the second goal.

Conceição defended his decision afterward, stating that he takes full responsibility and that the choice was a tactical move to increase midfield density. He added that the Shenging Deputy (the young keeper) is among Saudi Arabia’s best prospects and deserves trust and support.

Negative Numbers and Upcoming Tests

Conceição took over the team after Laurent Blanc’s departure following a defeat to Al Nassr, hoping to spark a positive turnaround. Yet results so far have not met the lofty ambitions. The upcoming stretch features a series of high-stakes fixtures: Nassr in the King Cup, Gulf clash in the league, a continental tie against Sharjah of the UAE, and the Jeddah derby against Al Ahli—a decisive run that could define the season for the defending champions.

Aloof Curse or Just Bad Timing?

Historically, Ittihad has struggled against Al Hilal, failing to win in two straight league meetings since 2016, despite last season’s big 4-1 victory over their archrivals. The latest defeat reminded the club that breaking the Al Hilal spell remains a key hurdle. The numbers also underline a rough initiation for Conceição in his first months, including the fastest loss he’s experienced with a new club in about a decade after only three games in charge with the team.

The Road to Renewal Starts in December

As the international window approaches, Conceição and the board recognize that an overseas camp could be the real turning point of the campaign. Beyond fixing technical errors, the aim is to restore harmony across lines and rebuild the confidence that propelled the team to the league title last season. The plan envisions a return from the camp not as a mere halt, but as the launchpad for a renewed push to compete domestically and abroad. The season opened with high hopes under Blanc and his successor faced a challenging road to meet them.