Al Ittihad are showing genuine title credentials in the Saudi Pro League, yet their continental campaign opened with a frustrating reminder that points are never guaranteed. Sitting second with 17 points from seven games, one behind leaders Al Hilal, the club has built real momentum domestically under new coach Jens Weissing. A 3-1 win at Al Faisaly on September 11 was the highlight of that run, with Youssef En-Nesyri scoring twice to drive the victory and push Al Ittihad to the top of the table at that point.

Weissing's appointment itself carries an interesting backstory. Sports analyst Hattan Al-Najjar revealed that Jurgen Klopp personally endorsed the young German coach to the club's hierarchy before his hiring, describing him as a future elite manager. So far, the early signs support that recommendation.

The AFC Champions League Elite, though, delivered a dose of reality. Al Ittihad were held 1-1 by Qatari side Al-Shamal in the competition's opening round, conceding an equaliser deep into stoppage time through Georginio Wijnaldum after Baghdad Bounedjah had put the hosts ahead. It was the kind of result that stings, and it underlines the gap between domestic form and continental consistency that Weissing must now address.

The club's next league fixture comes against Al Hilal on October 10 at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, a direct clash at the top of the table that could define the early shape of the title race.