Wissing calls for Al-Ittihad response as Neftchi visit brings Asian campaign into focus

Al-Ittihad manager Jens Wissing says his side must beat Neftchi on Monday to revive their AFC Champions League Elite campaign after failing to win either of their opening two matches.

The Saudi club will face the Uzbek side in Fergana on Monday in the third round of the league phase in the West region, with further dropped points likely to increase the pressure on the team.

Speaking at his pre-match news conference on Sunday, Wissing said Al-Ittihad needed to recover the points lost at the start of their continental campaign.

“We are aiming to win tomorrow’s match, make up for the points we lost in the first two rounds and continue our journey in the competition,” he said.

Al-Ittihad began 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 against Neftchi essential if the club are to regain confidence and improve their prospects of progressing in Asia.

Wissing also addressed the demands created by a crowded fixture schedule, saying the number of matches meant he had to make regular changes to his starting line-up.

The German explained that his selections were based on the technical and physical requirements of each game. He added that his playing style required frequent rotation, helping players adapt to the demands of consecutive fixtures as Al-Ittihad attempt to restore balance in both domestic and continental competitions.

The coach also warned his players not to underestimate Neftchi. He highlighted the Uzbek club’s position at the top of their domestic league and praised their attacking effectiveness, insisting Al-Ittihad would need to approach the match with maximum concentration.

Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic shared his manager’s view that the team’s start to the competition had fallen below expectations.

The Serbian admitted the “Tigers” had not produced the results they wanted during the opening two rounds, but said the squad was determined to use Monday’s match as a turning point.

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

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