Two lineup tweaks spark optimism as Al Ittihad square off with Al Akhdood

Matchday lineup updates

Portuguese coach Sérgio Conceição announced Al Ittihad's starting XI for their Saudi Pro League encounter with Al Akhdood, a fixture coming in the twelfth round of the campaign.

The changes, compared with the previous loss to Al Qadsqah, see a few tweaks rather than a complete reshuffle as the rest of the lineup remains unchanged.

Goaltender Raiković returns to goal, replacing Mohammed Al-Absi, while Ahmed Al-Ghamdi starts in attack, taking the place of Albanian defender Mario Mita. Karim Benzema will wear the armband once again, supported by Musa Diaby and Houssem Aouar as the attacking trio, with the rest of the XI maintaining their roles.

Team list for Al Ittihad:

Goalkeeper: Raiković

Defense: Hassan Kadish – Danilo Pereira – Fabinho – Mohannad Al-Shanqeiti

Midfield: Kanté – Mahmoud Doumbia – Hossam Aouar

Attack: Ahmed Al-Ghamdi – Musa Diaby – Karim Benzema

Substitutes: Mohammed Al-Absi – Hamid Al-Shanqeiti – Ahmed Al-Jalidan – Mohammed Bernawi – Mohammed Flatah – Awad Al-Naashri – Hamid Al-Ghamdi – Abdulaziz Al-Bishi – Saleh Al-Shahri

Al Akhdood, under Romanian coach Marius Sumudica, line up with Samuel in goal and a backline featuring Asiri – Al-Rubai – Junter – Al-Salem – Ibrahim.

Midfielders: Gul – Borak – Pedroza

Attackers: Basoujog – Al Abbas