Al-Ittihad’s Secret Weapon: Bonuses Fueling a Title Charge

Al-Ittihad's Secret Weapon: Bonuses Fueling a Title Charge

Al-Ittihad's management has decided to preserve its so-called \"bonus rewards\" system, the hidden engine behind last season's Saudi Pro League and King’s Cup triumphs, and they are keeping it for the current campaign.

According to the sports daily Al-Youm, the club's leadership has continued the same incentive policy for the first team this season, a policy that proved highly motivating last year and helped the team stay competitive.

The scheme pays bonuses after every five matches, with amounts depending on the team's league position and awarded if the team finishes in the top three, scaling with rank.

Today, Al-Ittihad sits third in the Saudi Pro League with 9 points from three wins over Al-Ahedod (5-2), Al-Fateh (4-2) and Al-Najmah (1-0), with a single defeat to Al-Nassr in the latest round.

Contract Clause and Staff

There is reportedly a clause in coach Sérgio Conceição's contract allowing unilateral termination by the club if the team does not finish in the top three this season.

The Portuguese coach signed a two-and-a-half-year deal and brought a six-man technical staff, including Joao Costa, Siramana Dembélé, Fabio Mora, Diamantino Figueiredo, Vedran Runji and Eduardo Oliveira, who will handle tactical analysis for the squad.

Conceição has also signaled interest in strengthening the squad in January to counter recent results and the departure of Laurent Blanc, insisting on players capable of implementing his ideas on the pitch.

Broad winter mercato changes are anticipated, with possible departures and new arrivals to recalibrate the squad under the new management.

Ticket Prices and Injuries

Media reports revealed ticket prices for the Al-Ittihad vs Al-Hilal clash at the Enma stadium: 300 riyals for premium seats, 200 riyals for standard areas, and 30 riyals for the back of the net.

Two key players, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud and Bridge Rajkovic, will miss the upcoming match against Al-Fayha due to injuries; Al-Aboud's absence follows a national-team setback, while Rajkovic's injury has kept him out for weeks.

Rajkovic has returned to action in the late season, including a league game against Al-Nasr, but later underwent surgery as part of recovery, causing further absences early in 2025; he returned in the second round against Al-Fateh and even faced a red card in a match.

Meanwhile, Conceição received good news with the readiness of Hassan Awar and Hassan Kaddosh for the Al-Fayha game, strengthening the squad for the next round.

As the winter mercato approaches, fans await news of potential signings and departures aligned with the coach's vision to restore balance after recent results.

For the record, tickets for the Al-Ittihad vs Al-Hilal match are priced to attract a full house and provide a proper stage for the league's top clash.

Punchline: If bonuses are the weapon, the trophy better come with a safe password—the budget might try to steal it. Punchline 2: In football, the only thing sharper than tactics is the club's accountant—and he's always balancing the books before the celebration.