When a Derby Becomes a Reality Check: Al-Ittihad's Title Hopes Under Scrutiny
22 November 2025
Al-Ittihad’s form slump defies expectations
Hussein Abdul Ghani, a legend of Al-Ahli, says Al-Ittihad is currently in the worst spell of form and doubts they can win the Saudi Pro League this season.
Al-Ittihad edged a 2-1 victory over Al-Riyadh on Friday at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, the ninth round of the Saudi competition.
Al-Ittihad are in their worst form
The former star later spoke on television, noting that the win was crucial for Al-Ittihad, especially after the derby defeat to Al-Ahli.
He explained that the hardest moment for a coach is when you lose a match and there is a long break, during which the players mental state can be under serious pressure.
He notes that Al-Ittihad lost 0-1 to their traditional rival Al-Ahli on November 8, just before the international stoppage, a blow that still lingers in the build up to the next round.
He added that the toughest part for Sergio Conceicao is steering the team through a period that feels abnormal technically for the group.
He continued that sometimes even doing everything right can be undone by a single lapse because the squad is not in its natural state to begin with.
He added that it is not only about tactics; a good coach and prepared players can still fail to close out games; Al-Ittihad is currently in its worst technical state, something any team can go through.
He then turned to the title race, saying the gap to the leaders Al-Nassr stands at 10 points; it may still be possible for Al-Ittihad to win the title, but that outlook does not seem logical at this moment.
Abdul Ghani also argued that Al-Ahli are closer to the crown, with a five-point gap at the top.
Al-Nassr sit top with 24 points from eight wins, five ahead of Al-Ahli in fourth and ten ahead of Al-Ittihad in seventh; Al-Ittihad still has a home match coming against a rival on Sunday.
He concluded that the phase the club is going through is hard for any coach, but Conceicao is guiding the team well despite the turbulence.
Other voices emphasize that Conceicao has left a clear imprint on the side through a solid defensive structure, possession play, and a positive shift in Benzema’s form, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Hamad Al-Sanea, a former Ittihad star, believes Al-Ittihad still has a chance to contend for the league title given the upcoming tough fixtures for the leaders.
He points to five difficult matches for the leaders from late December to mid-January; if they drop points, the title race could reopen for Al-Ittihad.
The five fixtures include matches against Al-Ettifaq, Al-Ahli, Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Hilal, and Al-Shabab, scheduled in sequence with little rest.
Al-Sanea adds that Conceicao has done excellent work and the team is on the right track; what he has achieved in a short time is notable, especially in the King’s Cup clash with Al-Nassr and the elite AFC Champions League games, even though one player has been sent off in each match.
Punchline 1: If Al-Ittihad’s title hopes were a sniper rifle, Conceicao’s job is to keep the scope steady while the ball stays in the target area—aim small, miss small, right?
Punchline 2: In football as in life, the calendar always wins—January 2026 is coming, and so is question time at the press conference. Until then, enjoy the rollercoaster of the Saudi Pro League.
