Al-Ittihad select eight foreign players for AFC Champions League Elite clash with Neftchi Fergana

Al-Ittihad coach Jens Vising has named a starting XI featuring eight foreign players for Monday evening’s AFC Champions League Elite meeting with Uzbek side Neftchi Fergana.

The Saudi club are seeking their first victory in the West region of the competition after beginning their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Qatar’s Al Shamal and then suffering a 2-1 home defeat by Shabab Al Ahli.

Vising has selected Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, with Portugal international Danilo Pereira and Saudi defender Saad Al-Mousa in central defence.

Muhannad Al-Shanqiti and Fares Abdi will operate as the full-backs, while the midfield includes Colombia’s Richard Rios, Senegal’s Dion Lopy and Algeria international Houssem Aouar.

The front three are made up of the Netherlands’ Georginio Wijnaldum and Steven Bergwijn, alongside Nigeria forward George Ilenikhena.

Ahmed Al-Ghamdi and Mukhtar Ali have been left out of the starting line-up after both began Al-Ittihad’s most recent match against Al-Diriyah in the 11th round of the Saudi Pro League. Al-Ittihad won that fixture 2-0.

The match is particularly important for Al-Ittihad as they attempt to revive their continental campaign. Another failure to win would make their route through to the next stage more difficult, while victory would allow Neftchi Fergana to strengthen their own position and climb the standings.

Neftchi are seventh in the group with three points. Their total came from a victory over Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, before they were beaten 3-1 by Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

The accompanying fixture schedule lists Al-Ittihad’s Saudi Pro League match against Abha on 30 October 2026. It also lists an AFC Champions League Elite fixture involving Al-Ittihad and Tractor on 02 November 2026, alongside Neftchi’s competition listing.