The AFC Champions League Elite is heating up as Saudi Arabia’s top clubs navigate a pivotal week, with Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal each facing unique challenges and opportunities that could shape their continental campaigns. As the group stage enters its closing rounds, the pressure is mounting—not just on the pitch, but behind the scenes with high-profile player movements and unexpected injury setbacks.
For Al-Ittihad, the reigning Saudi Pro League champions, the current campaign has been anything but smooth sailing. After clinching the SPL title last season, expectations were sky-high in Jeddah. Yet, as of early February 2026, the club finds itself languishing in seventh place domestically and only sixth in the western league phase standings of the Asian Champions League Elite. With just two rounds remaining, the twice-crowned continental champions are locked in a fierce battle for one of the four remaining knockout stage spots.
The team’s struggles have been exacerbated by the recent departures of two marquee signings, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté. Both players, brought in during the Saudi league’s headline-grabbing 2023 spending spree, left during the winter transfer window—leaving a gaping hole in Al-Ittihad’s squad and forcing coach Sergio Conceicao to regroup rapidly. Benzema’s absence, in particular, has sent ripples through the team. The former Real Madrid talisman not only brought world-class experience but also a knack for game-changing moments. His decision to join Saudi rivals Al-Hilal—already a powerhouse in both domestic and Asian competitions—has only intensified the rivalry and left Al-Ittihad fans anxiously watching the standings.
Al-Ittihad’s continental campaign hangs in the balance. With two matches left in the group phase, the Jeddah outfit must rediscover its form quickly if it hopes to secure a place in the last 16. Four teams—Al-Hilal, fellow Saudis Al-Ahli, Iran’s Tractor, and the UAE’s Al-Wahda—have already punched their tickets to the knockout rounds, leaving the rest to scrap for the remaining slots. The pressure is palpable, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Meanwhile, over in Riyadh, Al-Hilal are riding a wave of momentum but have their own headaches to contend with. The club sits atop Group B of the AFC Champions League Elite, having won all six of their matches and amassing a perfect 18 points. Their qualification for the knockout stage is already assured, giving coach Simone Inzaghi some flexibility as he prepares his squad for the seventh-round showdown against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai.
But even success brings its own set of challenges. On February 8, 2026, Al-Hilal announced that their star Moroccan goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, had missed training due to a shoulder injury. While the club confirmed that Bounou underwent a treatment session, they remained tight-lipped about the severity of the issue or how long he might be sidelined. The timing couldn’t be more awkward, coming just a day before the crucial clash with Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai.
Despite Bounou’s absence, Inzaghi has opted for a bold approach to squad management. With qualification secured and fixture congestion looming, the Italian tactician is rotating his lineup, giving opportunities to several foreign professionals while resting others. Notably, three of Al-Hilal’s international stars—Marcos Leonardo, Karim Benzema, and Kalidou Koulibaly—were left out of the matchday squad for technical and physical reasons. The decision, aimed at managing player fatigue and maintaining technical balance, underscores the depth and ambition of Al-Hilal’s roster.
Inzaghi’s selection for the match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai features a formidable blend of experience and youth. The foreign contingent includes Matteo Politano, Pablo Mari, Yusuf Akçayişik, Theo Hernandez, Ruben Neves, Sergej Savic, Malcom Filipe, Simon Bouabri, Mohamed Kader Meite, and Darwin Núñez. This cosmopolitan lineup reflects the club’s strategy of leveraging international talent to sustain their dominance both at home and abroad.
“We want to keep our momentum going and give everyone a chance to contribute,” Inzaghi explained in his pre-match remarks, emphasizing the importance of squad rotation at this stage of the competition. The Italian’s approach has been largely vindicated by results so far, with Al-Hilal’s fans hoping the team can extend its unbeaten run and further cement its lead atop the West Group.
Back in Jeddah, the mood is more tense. Conceicao’s task is unenviable: to steady a ship rocked by high-profile departures and a string of inconsistent performances. The pressure is not just external—supporters and club officials alike are demanding a response. With Benzema now donning Al-Hilal blue and Kanté also gone, the responsibility falls on the remaining squad members to step up and deliver when it matters most.
It’s not just about pride or prestige; continental qualification has significant financial and reputational implications for Saudi clubs, especially amid the league’s ongoing push for global recognition. The Asian Champions League Elite remains a proving ground for the region’s best, and failure to advance would be a bitter pill for Al-Ittihad to swallow after their recent domestic triumph.
Adding to the intrigue, the transfer of Benzema to Al-Hilal has shifted the balance of power in Saudi football. The move reunites the French striker with a club already brimming with international stars and led by the experienced Simone Inzaghi. It also sets up tantalizing possibilities for future clashes between the two rivals, both domestically and on the Asian stage.
For now, though, the focus is squarely on the immediate challenges ahead. Al-Ittihad must navigate their final group matches with grit and determination, hoping to secure a coveted knockout spot and keep their continental dreams alive. Al-Hilal, meanwhile, will look to maintain their perfect record and manage their roster wisely as they prepare for the business end of the tournament.
As the AFC Champions League Elite group stage draws to a close, all eyes are on Saudi Arabia’s giants. Can Al-Ittihad overcome adversity and return to form, or will Al-Hilal’s star-studded squad continue their march toward Asian glory? One thing’s for sure—the next few weeks promise high drama, unexpected twists, and football of the highest caliber.
With everything still to play for, the action remains fast and furious. Supporters across the region will be glued to their screens, eager to see which clubs will rise to the occasion and which will be left wondering what might have been. The story is far from over—and as the knockout stage beckons, the stakes have never been higher.