Al Ittihad’s Start to the Saudi Pro League Bodes Well for Their Hopes to Challenge Al Hilal for the Title
Laurent Blanc was brought into Al Ittihad to change their fortunes this season after their underwhelming title defense last season when they finished the season fifth and well adrift of champions Al Hilal.
Al Ittihad backed Laurent Blanc with several marquee signings, with the headlines grabbed by the capture of Moussa Diaby and Houssem Aouar. The show of ambition by the club demonstrated their sense of the direction they want Al Ittihad to travel and where they should be challenging this season.
The new signings added to the existing wealth of talent, including former Real Madrid striker and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema. Laurent Blanc set about to get his charges ready for the new season, and the work has paid off as they have stormed right off the gate.
The signs at the start of the Saudi Pro League have been encouraging; they have won twice out of the opening two rounds of fixtures. However, Blanc will be encouraged by the fact that Al Ittihad have had to fight to get these wins deep into stoppage time, showing character and a fighting spirit that will be crucial in a title charge.
Critics will point at Al Ittihad’s inability to blow their opponents away like Al Hilal have managed to do time and again. However, the never-say-die attitude and team spirit within Al Ittihad has been bolstered by a couple of hard-fought victories, giving them six points from an available six.
A bright spot for AL Ittihad has been Houssem Aouar, who has been impactful in these two matches, including a last-gasp winner against Al Taawoun last Thursday.
There is something to be said that Al Ittihad are adjusting to the kind of football Laurent Blanc wants them to play. That they are in a transition and still winning is a bonus. Given the ambition of the owners, the start to the season would have encouraged them. However, they have set the benchmark upon which the rest of the season will be judged, with fans expecting them to challenge Al Hilal and Al Nassr for top honors this season.
