Al-Ittihad Vs Al-Taawoun

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Al Ittihad and Al-Taawoun will aim to secure their second victory in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season when they clash at King Abdullah Sports City on Thursday night. Both teams kicked off their league campaigns with wins and are among only seven teams that earned maximum points in the opening weekend of the top flight.

A Challenging Start for Al Ittihad

The 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season was a disappointing one for Al Ittihad. After a stellar 2022-23 campaign where they lifted the league trophy, the following season saw them not only lose their title but also miss out on qualifying for continental competitions. Finishing fifth in the league was a significant setback for a club with such high ambitions. Despite bolstering their squad with marquee signings like Fabinho, N'Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, and Jota, Al Ittihad only managed to accumulate 54 points from 34 matches, a staggering 42 points behind league champions Al-Hilal.

This underperformance prompted the club's management to make a change in leadership. Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo, who had been brought in to lead the team, was relieved of his duties at the end of the season. In his place, the club appointed Laurent Blanc, the former manager of Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, in July 2024. Blanc’s arrival was met with mixed reactions, as the Frenchman is known for his tactical acumen but also for a cautious approach that some feared might not align with the high expectations at Al Ittihad.

Blanc's tenure got off to a shaky start, losing his first three pre-season friendlies after arriving in Jeddah. These losses raised concerns among fans and pundits alike, questioning whether Blanc was the right fit for the club. However, the mood began to shift when Al Ittihad secured a 2-0 victory against Inter Milan in early August, a result that offered a glimpse of what Blanc could bring to the team. This win was followed by a 1-0 triumph over Al Kholood in their first league match of the season, albeit in an unconvincing manner.

In that match, Al Ittihad looked set to drop points, but a stoppage-time goal from new signing Houssem Aouar, who joined from AS Roma, secured a narrow victory. Aouar's late heroics highlighted both the team's resilience and the work still needed to gel the squad’s new additions into a cohesive unit. The victory, though hard-fought, provided a much-needed confidence boost for Blanc and his players as they navigate the early stages of the season.

Al-Taawoun's Impressive 2023-24 Season

Al-Taawoun, on the other hand, enjoyed a remarkable 2023-24 season. While the big-spending, PIF-owned clubs dominated much of the league, Al-Taawoun was the only team to mount a credible challenge to their supremacy. They finished the season in fourth place, a commendable achievement given their modest budget compared to the other top-five clubs. What made their performance even more impressive was their ability to compete effectively despite spending a fraction of what their rivals did on new signings. The club’s most expensive acquisition, Musa Barrow, was brought in for around £7 million, a sum dwarfed by the transfer fees spent by the league’s financial powerhouses.

However, despite their success, Al-Taawoun decided to make a managerial change at the start of the 2024-25 season. Brazilian coach Pericles Chamusca, who had led the team to their fourth-place finish, was replaced by Rodolfo Arruabarrena, an Argentine manager with a diverse coaching background. Arruabarrena, who previously managed the UAE national team and Egyptian Premier League side Pyramids FC, was brought in to build on the foundations laid by Chamusca and to help Al-Taawoun compete more effectively at the top end of the table.

Arruabarrena’s tenure began with a setback, as Al-Taawoun lost 2-0 to Al-Nassr in the Arab Club Champions Cup, a result that did little to quell concerns about the new manager’s ability to replicate the success of his predecessor. However, the team bounced back in their first league match of the season, securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over Al Fayha. Much like Al Ittihad, Al-Taawoun left it late, with the winning goal coming in the 95th minute, demonstrating their ability to fight until the very end.

Head-to-Head and Tactical Analysis

Matches between Al Ittihad and Al-Taawoun have historically been closely contested affairs. Last season, both encounters between the two sides ended in draws, reflecting the evenly matched nature of these teams. In the 2022-23 season, the home team won in both league fixtures, emphasizing the importance of home advantage in this rivalry.

As the two teams prepare to face off, there are several key tactical considerations to keep in mind. Al Ittihad, under Laurent Blanc, is expected to employ a structured and disciplined approach. Blanc is known for his preference for a solid defensive foundation, often organizing his teams in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. With Fabinho and N'Golo Kante anchoring the midfield, Al Ittihad has the potential to dominate the center of the park, allowing creative players like Houssem Aouar and Karim Benzema to operate with more freedom in the attacking third.

However, Blanc's cautious style may also mean that Al Ittihad could struggle to break down well-organized defenses, a potential vulnerability that Al-Taawoun could exploit. Under Arruabarrena, Al-Taawoun is likely to adopt a more pragmatic approach, focusing on defensive solidity and quick transitions. With Musa Barrow leading the line, supported by creative midfielders who can exploit spaces on the counter-attack, Al-Taawoun has the tools to pose a significant threat, especially if they can absorb Al Ittihad's pressure and hit them on the break.

Another factor that could influence the outcome of this match is the physical and mental fatigue of both teams. The early part of the season often sees teams still working towards full match fitness, and with the intense heat of Saudi Arabia, managing player fatigue will be crucial. This is where the depth of the squads could come into play. Al Ittihad, with their high-profile signings, have more options to rotate players without a significant drop in quality. Al-Taawoun, while not having the same depth, will need to rely on their team cohesion and tactical discipline to compensate.

One of the most exciting aspects of this match will be the performance of Karim Benzema. The French striker, who joined Al Ittihad in the summer of 2024, is one of the most high-profile signings in the history of the Saudi Pro League. Benzema brings a wealth of experience and a proven goal-scoring record from his time at Real Madrid, where he established himself as one of the best strikers in the world.

Benzema's presence in the Al Ittihad squad not only boosts their attacking options but also raises the profile of the entire league. His ability to link play, create chances, and score goals from various situations makes him a player that Al-Taawoun will need to keep a close eye on. However, with Benzema still adapting to the new league and his teammates, it remains to be seen how quickly he can hit top form.

Al-Taawoun’s Key Man: Musa Barrow

For Al-Taawoun, Musa Barrow will be a crucial player in their quest to secure a positive result. The Gambian forward, who joined the club last season, quickly became a fan favorite with his pace, dribbling ability, and eye for goal. Barrow's versatility allows him to play in multiple positions across the front line, making him a difficult player for opposition defenses to mark.

Barrow's role in this match will likely involve leading the counter-attacks, using his speed to exploit any spaces left by Al Ittihad's defense. If Al-Taawoun is to come away with a victory, Barrow will need to be at his best, both in terms of finishing chances and helping his team transition from defense to attack.

As both teams prepare for this crucial early-season clash, the stakes are high. For Al Ittihad, a victory would reinforce their status as title contenders and help build momentum under Laurent Blanc's new management. A win would also alleviate some of the pressure on Blanc, who is still looking to fully convince the fans and the club's hierarchy that he is the right man to lead them back to glory.

For Al-Taawoun, a positive result would further establish them as a force to be reckoned with in the Saudi Pro League. After their impressive campaign last season, they will be eager to show that they can consistently compete with the league's top teams, even with a comparatively smaller budget. A win against Al Ittihad would not only boost their confidence but also send a message to the rest of the league that they are not to be underestimated.

In conclusion, this match between Al Ittihad and Al-Taawoun promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams having much to play for. With new managers at the helm, star players like Karim Benzema and Musa Barrow on the pitch, and the weight of expectations on their shoulders, the outcome of this game could set the tone for the rest of their seasons. Whether it will be Blanc's tactical discipline or Arruabarrena's pragmatism that prevails, fans can expect an intense and captivating encounter at King Abdullah Sports City on Thursday night.