Conceicao's Al-Ittihad Thrives in Asia Despite High-Profile Departures
Sergio Conceicao has guided Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, a feat the club has achieved only twice in the past twelve years. The Portuguese coach has overseen a dramatic turnaround, with six wins and four clean sheets in his first seven matches in charge, transforming the team into the competition's top scorers with 23 goals. This success comes despite significant upheaval, following the high-profile winter departures of former captain Karim Benzema and midfielder N'Golo Kante.
According to reports from Italy, the team's progress has been built under far-from-ideal conditions, with scaled-back investments and the loss of key leaders. Conceicao's impact, however, has been immediate, restoring compactness and confidence to a squad that now boasts the second-highest number of chances created in the tournament at 34. After securing their quarter-final place, Conceicao attributed the success to his players' mentality, stating he asked them to "show the passion and ambition of the fans" and praising the team's defensive solidity.
The context of this continental run is particularly notable given the recent exit of Karim Benzema. The former Ballon d'Or winner left Al-Ittihad earlier this year after a brief and reportedly turbulent 18-month stint, having joined from Real Madrid in the summer of 2023. His departure, alongside that of Kante, who returned to Europe with Chelsea, stripped the Jeddah-based club of its two most recognizable stars and raised questions about its direction.
Instead of faltering, Conceicao has instilled a more intense and pragmatic identity, with the team showing no signs of nervousness according to the coach. The quarter-final achievement re-establishes Al-Ittihad's ambition on the Asian stage and validates the club's decision to appoint the former Porto manager. As the tournament progresses, a potential reunion looms for Conceicao, who could face his former Lazio teammate Roberto Mancini, now manager of Qatari champions Al-Sadd, in the latter stages.
The team's resilience suggests a shift in focus from individual star power to collective strength under Conceicao. This progression in Asia provides a positive narrative for the club amid a period of transition, demonstrating that their ambitions remain intact even after significant roster changes. The coming rounds will test whether this newfound identity can carry them even deeper into the competition.
