Al-Ittihad face Neftchi test with no room for further Asian slip-ups

Al-Ittihad must beat Uzbekistan’s Neftchi on Monday to revive their AFC Champions League Elite campaign after failing to win either of their opening two matches in the league phase.

The Saudi club face Neftchi in Fergana in the third round of the West region, with coach Jens Vising acknowledging that his side cannot afford to drop more points if they are to recover from a disappointing start.

Speaking at Sunday’s news conference in the Uzbek city, Vising said the immediate priority was to make up for what Al-Ittihad had already lost.

“We are seeking victory in tomorrow’s match to compensate for the points we lost during the first two rounds and continue our journey in the competition,” he said.

Al-Ittihad began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Qatar’s Al Shamal before losing 2-1 to UAE side Shabab Al Ahli Dubai. Those results have left victory over Neftchi crucial to restoring confidence and sustaining their hopes of progressing in the continental competition.

Vising also highlighted the demands created by a crowded fixture schedule. He said the number of matches meant he had to make regular changes to his starting line-up, depending on the technical and physical requirements of each game.

The German added that his playing style required frequent rotation so his squad could adapt to the demands of successive matches. Al-Ittihad are attempting to regain their balance both domestically and in Asia, while managing the physical strain of the schedule.

Despite the pressure on his own team, Vising warned that Neftchi would present a significant challenge. He praised the Uzbek club, who lead their domestic league, and pointed to their clear attacking threat.

That danger, he said, meant Al-Ittihad would need to approach the match with the highest level of concentration.

Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic admitted that he was dissatisfied with the team’s opening two results in the competition. The Serbian said the performances and points collected by the club, known as the “Tigers”, had fallen short of expectations.

“We will work to make tomorrow’s match our true starting point in the competition,” Rajkovic said.

He added that the players were preparing physically and technically to cope with the pressure of the fixture schedule, with the aim of returning to positive results.

A win in Fergana would give Al-Ittihad an opportunity to correct their early course, while another setback would increase the difficulty of their task in the West region’s league phase.