## Al-Ittihad’s Setback Against Al-Ahli
In a disappointing start to what should have been a thrilling eighth matchday in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Ittihad faced a narrow 0-1 defeat to local rivals Al-Ahli. This loss sparked significant criticism from former Al-Ittihad defender Rashed Al-Raheeb. Holding the players accountable, Al-Raheeb stated that the fault did not lie with Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição but rather with the performance of the team’s foreign players.
### Blame Game: Rashed Al-Raheeb’s Critique
Rashed Al-Raheeb didn’t mince words in a recent interview, specifically calling out Karim Benzema, the team’s captain and marquee signing, for his lack of impact during the match. “The Frenchman Karim Benzema was not present in the match and did nothing, as did his compatriot Moussa Diaby,” he remarked. This sharp criticism underscores the mounting pressure on these high-profile players to deliver, especially in a fixture as significant as the Western derby.
Al-Raheeb contrasted this with a stellar performance from Al-Ahli’s foreign players, who seemingly ran circles around their Al-Ittihad counterparts throughout the match. This foundational flaw can often be observed in numerous matches where local players outshine their foreign teammates, which has raised questions about the overall effectiveness of the squad’s foreign signings.
### Tactical Misjudgments?
According to Al-Raheeb, Coach Sergio Conceição made errors in his tactical decisions by fielding Benzema despite his underwhelming performance. “Conceição was complacent in his lineup,” Al-Raheeb asserted, emphasizing that the substitution of Saleh Al-Shehri and the exclusion of Al-Aboud could have changed the course of the game. Al-Raheeb believes these local players are often at a higher level than their foreign counterparts.
Despite his criticisms, Al-Raheeb acknowledged the merits of Conceição’s offensive approach in terms of strategy. However, he argued that tactical discipline can only go so far when star players are unable to perform at the required level.
### Al-Ittihad’s Current Standing
As defending champions, Al-Ittihad now finds itself struggling in 8th place in the Saudi Pro League. With three defeats already behind them, the team’s position is alarming for both fans and management. The contrast between performance expectations and current results creates a murky outlook for the season.
Fans are beginning to wonder: Can Al-Ittihad recover from this slump and rally behind its local talent, or will the pressure on foreign players like Benzema lead to further disappointments? The remaining matches will likely be crucial for establishing both team morale and fan confidence.
In conclusion, the recent loss to Al-Ahli not only highlights systemic issues within Al-Ittihad but also places significant pressure on its star players to redeem themselves. The mix of local and foreign talent has the potential to yield great results, but only if team cohesion and individual performances sync up on the pitch.