Al-Ittihad vs Shabab Al Ahli: a battle for crucial points in Asia
On October 13, Al-Ittihad will host Shabab Al Ahli in the second round of the league phase of the AFC Champions League. For the Saudi club, this is a chance to put things right after dropping points in the opening round, while the visitors will look to continue their strong start and strengthen their position in the race to reach the next round.
What kind of form are the teams in?
Al-Ittihad opened their continental campaign with a 1-1 draw against Qatar's Al-Shamal. The Saudis only managed to rescue a point in stoppage time, thanks to a goal from Georginio Wijnaldum. Such a result is unlikely to have satisfied an ambitious team accustomed to challenging for the highest positions. Now, in front of their home fans, the hosts will look to deliver a more convincing performance and claim all three points.
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Shabab Al Ahli, by contrast, began with a 1-0 victory over Iran's Tractor. Yuri César scored the only goal in the 22nd minute. The Dubai side produced an organized display and showed that they can get results even in tense encounters. However, their next opponents will pose a much greater threat, and they will have to play away from home.
What can we expect from the match?
Al-Ittihad will surely look to take control of the initiative and threaten the visitors' goal more frequently. It will be important for the hosts to make the most of their home advantage, move the ball quickly and prevent their opponents from calmly setting up in defense. At the same time, they cannot afford to neglect their own defensive work: in the opening round, the Saudis conceded against Al-Shamal and avoided defeat only in the closing stages.
Shabab Al Ahli could rely on a compact defensive shape and quick counterattacks. If the visitors withstand the early pressure, they will have opportunities to exploit the space left behind. Moreover, the teams' meeting in last year's tournament ended in a 1-0 victory for the Dubai side, so they have no psychological barrier against this opponent.
Al-Ittihad look like the favorites thanks to home advantage and the quality of their squad, but this should be no easy ride. I expect the hosts to attack more and secure the result they need.
My pick is an Al-Ittihad win.
