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Arab News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Al-Ittihad champions: 5 reasons behind the Jeddah giants' 2025 Saudi Pro League title triumph
LONDON: Al-Ittihad are champions of Saudi Arabia. The Tigers clinched their 10th title on Thursday with two games of the season remaining after a 3-1 win at Al-Raed. It has been a long campaign, and here are five reasons behind the latest success for the yellow-and-black half of Jeddah. Benzema, Aouar and Diaby provide an irresistible attacking force For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Tigers roared back to shine in big games Early in the campaign, Al-Ittihad lost 3-1 at Al-Hilal and were well beaten, going 3-0 down by the break. After finishing fifth the season before, a long way behind the champions, it looked as if Hilal were going to be too strong once again. Yet it seemed to be exactly the result needed. From then, there was a resilience about the Jeddah giants and they never lost again to any of their title rivals. The King's Cup victory over Al-Hilal in January, albeit on penalties, was a sign that they could beat the champions. Other powers were also dispatched. Six points were taken off Al-Nassr and Jeddah rivals Al-Ahli provided four. The big one was, however, that 4-1 win over Al-Hilal in February in front of an ecstatic home crowd. From that point on, Al-Ittihad looked like champions, while Al-Hilal did not. Local talent provided the foundation One lesson, not that it was really needed, from Al-Hilal's title win last time around was that while foreign players have a huge part to play, any potential champion need a solid local contingent and Ittihad certainly had that this time around. Abdulrahman Al-Oboud has come into his own, especially in the second half of the season providing goals, assists and generally making things happen. It was noticeable that in the 3-1 win at Al-Raed which clinched the title, the 29-year-old was everywhere. Saleh Al-Shehri was more of a squad player and also in his first season but the experienced striker made a difference when needed especially with the only goal of October's Jeddah Derby. Further back, Muhannad Al-Shanqiti has proven himself to be one of the best and certainly most consistent full-backs in Saudi Arabia while Hassan Kadesh has not only impressed for the national team, but been a huge presence in the middle of the defence. Blanc and Kante bring calm among the storm There is not just a strong French connection in attack but Laurent Blanc brought with him an air of calmness to the coaching hotseat after a tumultuous season last time with coaches. The former Lyon boss brings a pragmatic approach to get the best out of the players he has, rather than trying to impose a system regardless of what is available. Known in France for a defensive approach, there has certainly been an emphasis on stability at the back, but then, Ittihad have scored almost 2.5 goals per game. It helps that there is an intelligent coach on the pitch in the shape of N'Golo Kante. The midfielder is simply world class and ensures that Ittihad not only have more of the ball but also use it well. The former Chelsea star also rises to the big occasion and was immense in the vital win over Al-Nassr in early May that virtually sealed the title. Fans, schedule and the failings of others Al-Ittihad have some of the best — many in Jeddah would say the best — fans in the country and Asia. Having an average attendance of around 40,000 is hugely impressive, and not many other teams on the continent even come close. That brings pressure but can also inspire, and it has certainly done that this season. There have been other advantages. The relatively poor season last time around did provide some help as it meant no Champions League football. Title rivals Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr had 10 or 11 extra games in Asia and that makes a huge difference. It gave Blanc time to train, rest and rotate. And then, there is the fact that the other teams all dropped points. Al-Ittihad had their stumbles but this season their rivals did not take advantage with Al-Hilal — a winning machine last time around — unusually fallible. But teams still have to make use of the hand they are dealt, and Al-Ittihad certainly did that to become deserving champions.
Saudi Gazette
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ittihad's last-gasp legend: A title season written in stoppage time
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Al Ittihad's 14th Saudi Pro League title will not be remembered as just another championship win — it was a season defined by drama, resilience, and an unshakable will to fight until the very last whistle. Nicknamed by fans as 'Ittihad Time,' the Jeddah club earned a reputation for stunning late winners throughout their triumphant 2024-25 campaign — scoring 12 goals beyond the 90th minute, collecting a crucial 30 points from those dramatic finishes. Without them, the title could have easily slipped away. These final moments mirrored the famous 'Fergie Time' era of Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, with Al Ittihad repeatedly flipping matches in stoppage time, including nine matches with match-winning goals and three matches salvaged by late equalizers. Algerian midfielder Houssem Aouar stood out as the king of the clutch, scoring five goals after the 90th minute, each directly securing victories. From the season opener against Al-Kholood to the pivotal late winner against Al Nassr on Matchday 30, Aouar was the face of Ittihad's Ittihad finished 31 rounds of the season with 72 goals, scored by 15 different players. Star striker Karim Benzema led the way with 21 goals, followed by Aouar with 12, Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn with 10, and Abdulrahman Al Aboud with six — his highest league tally since joining the title marked a shift in identity for Al Ittihad. While their 2022-23 title under Nuno Espírito Santo was built on defensive discipline and a league-record 19 clean sheets, the 2024-25 triumph under French tactician Laurent Blanc was driven by attacking flair and high Ittihad scored 12 more goals than the previous title-winning team and boasted a 59% average possession, compared to 51% under Santo. While the defense conceded 32 goals, more than twice as many as in their previous title season (13), their attacking edge proved defensive vulnerabilities, Blanc guided the team to eight clean sheets and engineered a system where possession and pressing delivered results — cementing his tactical shift from the previous defensive Ittihad eyes a potential domestic double with the King's Cup final against Al Qadsiah, this season will be remembered for more than just silverware. It will go down as the year when Al Ittihad built their championship legacy in the dying minutes — and rewrote the script of title-winning football in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Gazette
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ittihad's last-gasp legend: A title season written in stoppage time
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Al Ittihad's 14th Saudi Pro League title will not be remembered as just another championship win — it was a season defined by drama, resilience, and an unshakable will to fight until the very last whistle. Nicknamed by fans as 'Ittihad Time,' the Jeddah club earned a reputation for stunning late winners throughout their triumphant 2024-25 campaign — scoring 12 goals beyond the 90th minute, collecting a crucial 30 points from those dramatic finishes. Without them, the title could have easily slipped away. These final moments mirrored the famous 'Fergie Time' era of Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, with Al Ittihad repeatedly flipping matches in stoppage time, including nine matches with match-winning goals and three matches salvaged by late equalizers. Algerian midfielder Houssem Aouar stood out as the king of the clutch, scoring five goals after the 90th minute, each directly securing victories. From the season opener against Al-Kholood to the pivotal late winner against Al Nassr on Matchday 30, Aouar was the face of Ittihad's Ittihad finished 31 rounds of the season with 72 goals, scored by 15 different players. Star striker Karim Benzema led the way with 21 goals, followed by Aouar with 12, Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn with 10, and Abdulrahman Al Aboud with six — his highest league tally since joining the title marked a shift in identity for Al Ittihad. While their 2022-23 title under Nuno Espírito Santo was built on defensive discipline and a league-record 19 clean sheets, the 2024-25 triumph under French tactician Laurent Blanc was driven by attacking flair and high Ittihad scored 12 more goals than the previous title-winning team and boasted a 59% average possession, compared to 51% under Santo. While the defense conceded 32 goals, more than twice as many as in their previous title season (13), their attacking edge proved defensive vulnerabilities, Blanc guided the team to eight clean sheets and engineered a system where possession and pressing delivered results — cementing his tactical shift from the previous defensive Ittihad eyes a potential domestic double with the King's Cup final against Al Qadsiah, this season will be remembered for more than just silverware. It will go down as the year when Al Ittihad built their championship legacy in the dying minutes — and rewrote the script of title-winning football in Saudi Arabia.
