On Friday, Egyptian club Al Ahly is set to clash with Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad in the second round of the Club World Cup.
Al Ahly secured their place in the tournament as the CAF Champions League winners, while Al Ittihad represents Saudi Arabia after clinching the 2022-23 Saudi Pro League.
Match Preview
Al Ahly enters the competition in the second round after clinching the 2022-23 CAF Champions League. They sealed the title by defeating AC Wydad, securing a 2-1 win in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in the return fixture.
Having previously made several appearances at the Club World Cup, Al Ahly’s best finish remains third place, achieved on three occasions, most recently in 2021.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad has already registered a win in their second appearance at the Club World Cup, defeating Auckland City 3-0. Their victory came through goals from Romarinho, N’Golo Kante, and Karim Benzema.
Marcelo Gallardo, in charge of Al Ittihad since November, aims to surpass his 2015 runner-up finish with River Plate. Before that, he must navigate past Al Ahly, a team they previously defeated 1-0 in the 2005 Club World Cup.
Team News
Al Ahly may miss out on key players Vanderson and Aleksandr Golovin due to suspensions, with others like Eliesse Ben Seghir, Myron Boadu, and Eliot Matazo sidelined with injuries.
Al Ittihad’s Luiz Felipe is unavailable due to a recent muscle injury. Gallardo might field a similar lineup from their previous game, boasting the experience of Fabinho, Kante, and Benzema.
Possible Lineups
Al Ahly: (4-3-3)
El Shenawy;
Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Maaloul;
Dieng, Attia, Kafsha;
Tau, El Shahat, Kahraba
Al Ittihad: (4-3-3)
Grohe;
Al Shanqiti, Hegazy, Kadesh, Al Hawsawi;
Kante, Fabinho, Al Ghamdi;
Romarinho, Coronado, Benzema
Prediction: Al Ahly 1-2 Al Ittihad
Anticipating a closely contested match between the African champions and Saudi Pro League winners, the experience and talent of Al Ittihad’s players like Fabinho, Kante, and Benzema may secure them a narrow victory, setting up a potential semi-final clash with Fluminense.
