Pressure builds on Saudi champs Al-Ittihad as hunt for Asian Champions League spots resumes
Jeddah-based outfit trying to regroup after loss of Karim Benzema, N’golo Kanté, need to lock one of four places left in knockout stage
Saudi Pro League (SPL) champions Al-Ittihad will look to push their domestic difficulties and the exodus of key players to one side to assert themselves in the Asian Champion League Elite when Sergio Conceicao’s team take on Qatar’s Al-Gharafa on Tuesday.
The Jeddah-based outfit have been less than convincing since claiming the SPL title last season, sitting in seventh in the domestic standings and currently attempting to regroup after the departures of Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté.
The high-profile pair, signed in 2023 as part of a huge spending spree on foreign talent by Saudi clubs, left during the recently closed transfer window to further affect a squad that have underperformed at national and continental level.
Al-Ittihad are sixth in the western league phase standings in the Asian Champions League Elite with two rounds remaining and the twice title winners face a battle to secure one of the eight places available in the knockout stage.
Benzema’s departure will be particularly keenly felt, the former Real Madrid striker leaving to join Saudi rivals Al-Hilal, one of four clubs to have already booked their spot in the last 16 of the continental championship.
Al-Hilal are joined in the next round by defending champions and fellow Saudis Al-Ahli as well as Iran’s Tractor and Al-Wahda from the United Arab Emirates, leaving four places still to be filled.