When the King's Cup Tension Rises: Jesus Faces a Rough Ride Before the Al Nassr–Al Ittihad Showdown
26 October 2025
Jesus Faces Trouble Ahead of the King’s Cup Derby
The Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus of Al Nassr finds himself in a tight spot ahead of the highly anticipated showdown with Al Ittihad in the King’s Cup.
Al Nassr, the capital club, hosts its western rival on Tuesday evening at the club’s home ground, as the round of 16 unfolds in the King’s Cup.
Saudi newspaper "Al-Yawm" reported that both Ayman Yahya and Inigo Martinez were sidelined by injuries in the days leading up to the clash, forcing them into the medical room at the club.
Jesus is hoping for a swift recovery of the two stars to ensure a competitive lineup for the vital match.
Jesus Urges Brozovic Return
The coach has urged medical staff to prepare Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic for the clash with Al Ittihad.
Brozovic picked up a muscle injury in the 18th minute of the win over Al Fateh (5-1) and was substituted for Abdullah Al Khubri.
He also missed the match against Jawa India in the AFC Champions League, and was absent for the recent match against Al Hazm in the Roshen/Pro league rounds. Saudi sports daily "Al-Riyadhiah" noted that Jesus hopes for a quick return to help in midfield for the looming derby.
After a minor adductor tear, the Croatian underwent a rehab program with an estimated absence of about one to two weeks, depending on his response to treatment.
Since joining from Inter Milan in 2023, Brozovic has been a key figure, featuring in 93 matches, scoring 8 goals and providing 20 assists, combining defensive solidity with creative play in the middle of the park.
He has established himself as a core component of the team’s midfield, thanks to his experience and ability to control the tempo of games.
Kadsh Out of the Classic
On the other hand, Hassan Kadsh’s chances of featuring against Al Nassr have dimmed due to ongoing questions about his physical readiness.
The 33-year-old remains under an intensive treatment program under the club’s medical staff, and a quick return to full training ahead of the game seems unlikely.
Kadsh previously picked up a hamstring issue while playing for the Saudi national team against Haiti in the Gold Cup, mid-June in San Diego, and has since battled recurring muscle pains that kept him out of most of the current season.
The injury resurfaced during Al Ittihad’s 1-1 draw with Al Fayha on October 17, marking his first starting appearance in nearly four months.
Kadsh missed the pre-season camp with the club due to the same issue and was absent from the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong as well as the opening league rounds and ACL group stage.
Kadsh’s spell with Al Ittihad includes 72 appearances, 3 goals and 2 assists across 5730 minutes, with earlier stints at other clubs shaping his career path.
Draw Date Set
The King’s Cup Round of 16 concludes on Tuesday, with the draw for the quarterfinals scheduled for 3:00 PM on Wednesday, in the Eight channel studios on X (Twitter).
The remaining fixtures see Gulf against Al Cooperation, Al Fateh against Al Riyadh, Al Khoud against Al Najma, Al Batin against Al Ahli, Qadisiyah against Al Hazm, Al Shabab against Al Zulfi, and the standout clash between Al Ittihad and Al Nassr slated to run as the classic at The First Park, with the next rounds building toward the final.
The last edition crowned Al Ittihad champions after a 3-1 victory over Al Qadisiyah, a record ninth title for the club, while Al Hilal lead with nine titles, followed by Al Ahli (eight) and Al Nassr (five), as teams chase another trophy to bolster their season.
