Aouar to be rested for Las Palmas friendly as Al-Ittihad coach Weising implements bespoke fitness schedule

Houssem Aouar will not feature in Al-Ittihad’s pre-season friendly against Las Palmas in Marbella on Saturday, with head coach Jens Weising opting to place the Algeria midfielder on an intensive fitness programme instead.

Al-Ittihad are playing the second match of their overseas training camp in the Spanish resort, taking on the La Liga side at the La Quinta stadium as preparations continue for the new season.

According to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, Aouar has been ruled out of the game after only recently rejoining the squad at their camp in Spain. He was granted an extended break following his involvement with Algeria in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Individual conditioning plan

The report adds that Weising has designed a tailored schedule for the 26-year-old, focused on building up his physical conditioning before he is reintegrated into match action.

The programme includes intensive fitness work aimed at ensuring Aouar is ready to contribute fully in the coming fixtures as Al-Ittihad step up their pre-season workload.

Aouar, who joined the Jeddah club last season, is viewed as a key part of the midfield setup, but the German coach is determined not to rush him back after his international commitments and subsequent holiday period.

Final Marbella test and Asian target

Al-Ittihad, known as “Al-Ameed”, will conclude their Marbella camp with a final friendly against Real Mallorca on 30 July at the same venue, before returning to Jeddah to complete preparations on home soil.

The Saudi Pro League side’s first competitive fixture of the new campaign is scheduled for 11 August, when they face Al-Jazira of the United Arab Emirates in the play-off round of the AFC Champions League Elite.

That match will determine whether Al-Ittihad secure a place in the group stage of the revamped continental competition, making the current camp and the managed return of players such as Aouar a key part of Weising’s early-season planning.