Al-Ittihad face Asian danger as Jens Wissing makes two surprise omissions

Al-Ittihad go into Monday’s meeting with Neftchi Fergana under intense pressure, knowing the result could have an early influence on their AFC Champions League Elite campaign.

The Saudi club visit the Uzbek side at Fargona Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 16:45 Mecca time in the third round of the continental competition.

Sources close to the club told Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya that Al-Ittihad’s German manager Jens Wissing has delayed naming his starting XI until the final technical meeting before the match.

The decision is understood to be an attempt to keep Neftchi Fergana guessing and prevent the hosts from preparing for the team’s final tactical approach.

Wissing has also made two unexpected omissions from the matchday squad, leaving out Saudi Arabia international forward Saleh Al-Shehri and midfielder Rakan Al-Kaabi.

The move has been interpreted as a sign that the German coach is dissatisfied with their technical performances and is seeking to create a significant change within the team.

Al-Ittihad’s position in the table has increased the importance of the match. The Jeddah-based side are 11th with one point from their opening two fixtures.

They began their campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Qatar’s Al-Shamal before losing 2-1 to Shabab Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates.

Neftchi Fergana are in seventh place with three points and approach the fixture with a comparatively stronger record.

The Uzbek club opened the competition with a 1-0 victory over Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, but followed that result with a 3-1 defeat by Al-Nassr.

The match on 26 October 2026 therefore presents both sides with an opportunity to improve their position, while Al-Ittihad face the greater urgency after collecting only one point from their first two games.