This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Sérgio Conceição assured that Al Ittihad has not yet given up on retaining the Saudi title, despite resting some of its key stars in the 1-1 draw against Al Hazem. The absence of Moroccan Youssef En-Nesyri and Algerian Houssem Aouar in the starting lineup, to give them rest, raised questions at the press conference after Tuesday's match, which was part of the delayed 10th round of the Saudi league. When asked if the management of the squad meant he had thrown in the towel regarding the championship, Sérgio Conceição was emphatic. 'We are still defending the title and representing Al Ittihad. We cannot give up or raise the white flag,' he stated, adding: 'It is true that our focus is more on the Cup and the Asian Champions, but we approach every game with the same seriousness.' The Portuguese coach lamented the physical and mental exhaustion of his team, emphasizing the demanding schedule. 'It has been a long time since we played three matches in a week, two of them away from home. This is exhausting physically and mentally for the players,' he explained. Sérgio Conceição also complained about the burden of travel: 'What really drains us is the pressure of traveling. Today we traveled early, and this is what we suffer from with the succession of games and the little time between them.' Despite the difficulties, the coach felt that his team was close to victory. 'The game was like any other, with three points at stake. It was balanced until the final minutes, and we were close to scoring a goal that would have given us the win,' he analyzed. Regarding the six-game winless streak away from home before the clash with Al Kholood in the King's Cup semi-final, the coach preferred to keep the focus on the present. 'It is too early to talk about the game with Al Kholood; we take the games step by step. Our concentration is now on the next game against Al Khaleej, and the preparation will be no different from any other match.'
Al Ittihad Al Hazem remains central to this story.
Al Ittihad Al Hazem remains central to this story.
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