Video: Roshen’s final warm-up… Al-Ittihad prepare for the AFC Champions League with a crushing defeat to Neom\nAl-Ittihad fine-tuned their AFC Champions League preparations with a spirited friendly against Neom_ but the final score left little room for celebration. The match served as the last chance for head coach Roshen to assess his squad’s readiness before the continent’s premier club competition gets under way. Despite the defeat_ the session provided valuable insights into the team’s fitness levels_ tactical execution and mental resilience.\nPlaying in front of a vocal home crowd_ Al-Ittihad started brightly and controlled possession for long spells. However_ Neom’s counter-attacking threat proved decisive_ as the visitors exploited rare defensive lapses to secure a morale-boosting win. The goalkeepers were called upon to make several impressive saves_ highlighting the quality of chances created at both ends.\nFrom an analytical perspective_ the friendly underlined Al-Ittihad’s strengths in ball circulation and wing play_ yet it also exposed areas that require attention_ such as defensive transitions and set-piece organisation. Roshen will be encouraged by the overall performance_ but he will know that fine-tuning these details will be crucial if his side is to make an impact in the AFC Champions League.\nSupporters will take heart from the fact that the squad remains on track with its pre-season targets_ and the coaching staff now has clear data points to guide final training sessions. With the group stage draw already made_ Al-Ittihad can focus on refining their game plan_ managing player workloads and fostering the kind of team unity that often proves decisive in knock-out football.\nOverall_ the friendly delivered its primary objective: a challenging environment that forced players to think quickly_ adapt to different formations and maintain composure under pressure. Although the result was not what the home supporters hoped for_ the process of preparation continues_ and the opportunity to learn from a tough outing against quality opposition could prove invaluable when the real campaign begins (original) (raw)

Al-Ittihad Jeddah brought their Roshen League campaign to a close, ahead of the start of the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League, with a crushing defeat at the hands of Neom.\nThe result will concern supporters and coaches alike, as the club now turns its focus to the continental knockout phase, where...read full story