Al-Ittihad coach vows to fix errors ahead of Shabab Al-Ahli Asian Champions League clash

Al-Ittihad first team head coach Jens Wissing has confirmed his squad is ready to face UAE side Shabab Al-Ahli in the second round of the AFC Asian Champions League Elite, with the match set for tomorrow at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Speaking at a press conference today, Wissing said the team is working to improve decision-making on the pitch, noting that making the right choices at the right time is a challenge even for world-class players, and that addressing this requires continuous effort and repetition.

He added that preparations are proceeding as usual, with a focus on correcting mistakes. Wissing emphasized that the goal is to score and secure a positive result, and that avoiding future defeats depends on not repeating errors and maintaining ongoing work with the players.

Wissing noted that Al-Ittihad had aimed for victory after the international break, but mistakes during the match against Al-Hilal led to defeat. He acknowledged Al-Hilal deserved the win based on their performance, but stressed that errors can be avoided in upcoming matches.

Shabab Al-Ahli comments ahead of the match

For his part, Shabab Al-Ahli head coach André Jardine said his team has a strong group of players and is seeking to balance attack and defense. He pointed out that the squad lost some players during the international break and that the form of some has dipped, but affirmed the team's determination to deliver a strong performance.

Meanwhile, Shabab Al-Ahli player Eid Khamis noted that Al-Ittihad will benefit from home support in Jeddah, acknowledging the strength of Al-Ittihad's fans and stressing his teammates' commitment to performing well and not being affected by the crowd pressure.