English Premier League
Houssem Aouar says Al-Ittihad have achieved AFC Champions League Elite goal
Houssem Aouar says Al-Ittihad are determined to produce an “amazing season” after securing their place in the league stage of the AFC Champions League Elite with a 4-1 win over Al Jazira.
The Saudi club beat their Emirati opponents at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday in the preliminary round of the competition, booking their place in the league phase.
“We are extremely happy because our objective was to play in the AFC Champions League Elite, and we have qualified for the league stage,” Aouar told Abu Dhabi Sports Channels after the match.
The Algeria midfielder acknowledged that Al-Ittihad had faced a difficult test, with the conditions adding to the challenge.
“It was not easy. To be honest, the opponent was tough, and the weather was not good either, so that did not help us,” he said. “But we had to adapt, and we did that very well.”
Aouar said the result had given Al-Ittihad confidence as they prepare for the new campaign under a new manager and with a different approach.
“We are happy now because we are going to play where we should be, and we are looking forward to having an amazing season,” he added.
Al-Ittihad endured a disappointing campaign last season, but Aouar believes the club must draw a line under those difficulties rather than allow them to affect the future.
“Of course, we were not happy with what happened last season, but the past is over,” he said. “We have to forget it and understand how it happened.”
The 27-year-old also highlighted the importance of unity within the squad as the team adjusts to its new coaching staff.
“Now we have a new coach and a new methodology. We all have to be together, and the training camp was very good,” said Aouar.
For Aouar personally, the match against Al Jazira came after a limited period of preparation. He said he had only completed 10 days of pre-season work and had played just 45 minutes during the build-up to the campaign.
“For me, I had only 10 days of preparation for the new season, and that is difficult,” he said. “The Al Jazira match was almost a pre-season game for me because I had played only 45 minutes during pre-season.”
Despite that lack of preparation, Aouar praised the squad’s work during their overseas camp in Spain and said the preparations had been focused on ensuring the team could start the season strongly.
“The team did an amazing job at the overseas camp in Spain,” he said. “Everything we did during pre-season was to make sure we were ready for the start of the season and to make our fans proud.”
Al-Ittihad will begin their new Roshn Saudi League campaign on Saturday, when they host Al-Kholood at Alinma Stadium in the opening round.
Aouar called on the club’s supporters to attend the match, stressing their importance to the team as it begins a season carrying high expectations.
“Our first league match will be against Al-Kholood on Saturday, and we hope the fans will be there because we need them,” he said. “We are now ready and mentally focused, and we are entering the season with high ambitions, as Al-Ittihad always should.”
