Two-Faced Trouble: Ittihad's Quiet Struggles Shadow ACL Ambitions

First-Half Struggles

Al-Ittihad, the Saudi club, started with a cautious, workmanlike display against UAE’s Shabab Al-Ahli in a key ACL Elite phase match. The opening 45 minutes were flat, lacking the bite and cohesion expected of a recent league champion. By the time the break arrived, the scoreboard reflected the visitors’ goal—1-0—while the hosts left the pitch without answering the bell or finding their rhythm.

Second-Half Spark and Shortfalls

Under interim coach Hassan Khalifa, a new footballing frame briefly flickered into view. The second half showed glimpses of the old “two-faced” identity: more vigor, more pressing, and a willingness to move the ball quicker. Yet the sharpness in front of goal and the decisive moments in the final third remained elusively scarce, and Raikovic’s command in goal kept the scoreline from expanding further. The match illustrated a broader issue: while the team pushed to overturn the deficit, they still lacked the necessary depth and structure to turn pressure into chances and converts.

The visitors, guided by Paulo Sousa’s varied setups, posed real threats through crosses and long-range efforts, exploiting gaps in the Union’s defensive shape. The Emirati side pressed with tempo and organization, maintaining discipline in defensive lines and capitalizing on counter-attacks when opportunities arose. Defensively, Al-Ittihad continued to confront the same problem: crosses into dangerous zones found attackers with too much space and too little tracking. In attack, the lineup’s decision-making often felt rushed or misplaced, and even star players struggled to unlock a stubborn defense.

What It Means Going Forward

The tainted start to the season deepens the questions around the team’s identity and leadership. The defense must tighten and the midfield must inject a sustained creative engine; otherwise, the campaign risks slipping further away from the continental dream. The decision to pursue a new head coach with a clear artistic vision is increasingly urgent if the club hopes to salvage its campaign and recapture the domestic double-winning swagger of last season.

Punchline 1: If defending were an Olympic sport, this team would bring home the bronze—behind the post and a souvenir from the press conference.

Punchline 2: They say the season is a marathon, not a sprint; apparently, someone forgot to pack the map, because the defense keeps taking scenic routes to the goal.