Al-Ittihad has confirmed the injury absences of Moussa Diaby and Abdulaziz Al-Bishi, adding to a growing list of sidelined players for the Saudi Pro League side. The duo’s setbacks come as the team prepares for key fixtures in the coming weeks.
French winger Moussa Diaby, the league’s top assist provider with 10 assists in 10 matches, has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle and joint ligament damage.
Al-Ittihad announced that the former Aston Villa star will be out for eight weeks, during which he will undergo a rehabilitation program under the supervision of the club’s medical team.
As a result, Diaby is set to miss crucial matches against Al-Ettifaq on November 30 and Al-Nassr on December 6.
Abdulaziz Al-Bishi, recently returned from a loan spell at Damac FC, is also sidelined. The winger sustained a thigh muscle injury and is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.
Al-Bishi, who has played sparingly this season with just four brief appearances totaling seven minutes, is unlikely to significantly impact Laurent Blanc’s plans.
The absences of Diaby and Al-Bishi add to Al-Ittihad’s growing injury crisis. Key players such as Karim Benzema, Houssem Aouar, Luiz Felipe, and Fawaz Al-Sqoor are already unavailable, leaving coach Laurent Blanc with limited options as his side battles for supremacy in the Saudi Pro League.
Diaby’s injury, in particular, is a blow to Al-Ittihad’s title aspirations.
The French international, who boasts 11 caps for his national team, has been instrumental in the team’s attacking setup, contributing not only with assists but also with a goal this season.
Despite the setbacks, Al-Ittihad is set to face Al-Fateh, the league’s bottom team, on Sunday, November 24, at 17:00 GMT.
A victory in this fixture would propel Al-Ittihad to the top of the league standings, overtaking Al-Hilal, who suffered their first defeat of the season in a 3-2 loss to Al-Khaleej.
The match presents an opportunity for Al-Ittihad to showcase their depth and resilience amidst an injury crisis.
For Laurent Blanc, navigating this challenging period successfully will be key to maintaining the team’s momentum in their pursuit of domestic glory.
