Sérgio Conceição was absolutely not pleased with the performance of his Al-Ittihad team. The Saudi Arabian champions have started the season disastrously and on Monday also lost 4-2 to Al-Duhail SC in the AFC Champions League. Conceição was especially irritated by his team’s tempo.
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Five times dropping points in the first nine matches. For a club of Al-Ittihad’s stature, and especially for the reigning champions of Saudi Arabia, such a start is nothing short of alarming.
The disappointing run places the Jeddah giants down in seventh place, already thirteen points behind early leaders Al-Nassr. The contrast with last season could not be more striking. In the previous campaign, Al-Ittihad dropped points only eight times across the entire league season. This year, they have already matched last season’s total number of defeats, suffering three losses in just a handful of games. The pressure is growing rapidly around the squad, and the frustration was only intensified by Monday’s painful 4-2 defeat to Al-Duhail SC in the AFC Champions League, a competition in which Al-Ittihad had hoped to make a serious impact.
The latest loss exposed some of the same weaknesses that have plagued the team since the beginning of the season: slow ball circulation, lack of collective intensity, and a worrying tendency to lose concentration in crucial defensive moments. Despite boasting one of the most star-studded squads in the region, Al-Ittihad have not been able to find balance between their attacking firepower and their responsibilities out of possession. The defeat in continental competition served as a fresh reminder that talent alone is not enough.
It was in this context that coach Sérgio Conceição appeared before the media after the match, visibly furious and deeply disappointed. His press conference lasted only a few minutes, but every sentence reflected frustration. According to the Portuguese manager, the performance was unacceptable both individually and collectively. We only had names on the pitch, not a team. It is the first time I have experienced something like this. I am fifty one years old and I can still keep up with this tempo. His words suggested that the intensity and commitment required at this level were simply not present, and that the issues go far beyond tactical decisions. Conceição made it clear that he had prepared a specific game plan, but the squad failed to execute even the basic principles he had outlined.
The coach highlighted a particular concern with the reaction of his players in the defensive third, an area where Al-Ittihad have repeatedly shown vulnerability this season. Defensive transitions were slow, marking was often careless, and the communication between defenders and midfielders broke down too easily. For an opponent as dynamic as Al-Duhail, these mistakes were punished immediately. Although Al-Ittihad managed to score twice, their defensive frailties left them with no chance of controlling the match.
In the second half, Conceição attempted to shift the momentum by introducing more attack-minded players, hoping to spark a comeback or at least secure a draw. However, he stressed that such offensive risks only work if the team maintains discipline at the back. We made attacking substitutions to try to salvage a draw or even win, but then it is also essential to defend efficiently. His message was clear: without structure and commitment, individual talent becomes irrelevant.
Despite the crushing disappointment, Conceição still made a point of congratulating Al-Duhail for their performance, while also addressing the fans directly. He expressed hope that supporters would accept the team’s apologies for the display, acknowledging that the standard shown on the pitch fell well below what is expected from a club with Al-Ittihad’s ambitions and resources. With pressure increasing from fans, media and management, the coming weeks will be crucial for the Portuguese coach as he works to restore order and confidence.
The match also featured several high-profile names from the Al-Ittihad squad. Karim Benzema, who scored twice, continues to show flashes of his world-class finishing, but even his goals were not enough to mask the larger problems within the team. Steven Bergwijn provided energy on the wings, while Fabinho and N’Golo Kanté tried to stabilise the midfield. Danilo Pereira, Moussa Diaby and Houssem Aouar also played their part, yet the lack of cohesion between the lines made their efforts insufficient.
Al-Ittihad now face a critical moment in their season. With expectations sky-high and investment enormous, the margin for error is shrinking rapidly. The club must respond immediately, both in the league and on the continental stage, or risk falling further behind their rivals in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent Saudi football history.
