Al Sadd 1-4 Al Ittihad Player Ratings: Saudi Giants Crush Hosts to Continue Unbeaten Run in AFC Champions League

Al Ittihad put up a dominant away performance to defeat Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League Elite at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The visitors took control from the opening minutes and held on to the momentum till the final whistle. Now, let's discuss Al Sadd vs Al Ittihad player ratings from the AFC Champions League match.

Houssem Aouar opened the scoring for Al Ittihad in the 10th minute, setting the tone for the match. Youssef En-Nesyri quickly added a second goal as Al Sadd looked clueless.

The pressure continued and a costly own goal by Pedro Miguel left the home side in serious trouble. Al Sadd found a brief moment of relief before halftime through a goal from Rafa Mujica, but it was the only consolation for the home team.

Al Ittihad remained firmly in control after the break and closed the match with a fourth goal from Stephane Keller. It was a comprehensive and convincing victory for the visitors, who outclassed Al Sadd in all aspects of the game.

Key Takeaways

1. Houssem Aouar opened the scoring early to give Al Ittihad full control of the match.
2. A defensive error led to an own goal by Pedro Miguel, deepening Al Sadd’s struggles.
3. Stephane Keller scored in the second half to complete a dominant victory.

Al Ittihad Player Ratings vs Al Sadd

Check out Al Ittihad player ratings from the ACL Elite match against Al Sadd:

Goalkeeper

Predrag Rajković - 7.0: We thought he looked composed and reliable between the sticks. He made five crucial saves, a couple of which were top-drawer stops to deny Al Sadd any chance of a comeback. The goal he conceded was hardly his fault, a well-placed shot from close range. For a goalkeeper in a 4-1 win, he was called upon more than you'd think and answered every time. A solid performance.

Defenders

Danilo Pereira - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, outing for the defender before he was substituted. He was positionally sound and didn't make any glaring errors. However, he missed a big chance that could have added to the tally. What stood out to us was his quiet efficiency, he just did his job without much fuss until being rested.

Stephane Keller - 8.5: An outstanding performance from the central defender. Not only was he a rock at the back, winning his duels and clearing danger, but he also popped up with a goal. His finish was clinical, capping off a dominant display. We noticed his leadership and organization throughout the game. A true commanding presence.

Muhannad Shanqeeti - 6.0: A very mixed bag from our perspective. He showed good energy getting up and down the wing. But his final product was often lacking and he was caught in possession a few too many times. He worked hard for the team, but it was a performance that lacked a bit of quality in key moments. An area for improvement, for sure.

Hassan Kadesh - 8.0: What a game from the full-back. He was defensively solid, winning five of his six duels, and provided a brilliant headed assist for Keller's goal. His passing was crisp and he was a constant outlet for his team. From where we were sitting, he looked like one of the most complete players on the pitch.

Midfielders

Fabinho - 8.0: The captain led by example. He was an absolute engine in the middle of the park, making a remarkable six tackles to break up Al Sadd's play. The yellow card he picked up was a testament to his combative style, refusing to give the opposition an inch. A true warrior's performance, just what his team needed.

Houssem Aouar - 8.5: He set the tone for the entire match with his early goal. His intelligent movement and technical skill were on full display until he was substituted. He was a constant threat, drifting into dangerous spaces and linking up play beautifully. A fantastic, goal-scoring display.

Mario Mitaj - 5.5: It just wasn't his day. While he didn't stop running, he struggled to make an impact on the game and was often wasteful in possession. He looked a little off the pace compared to his teammates. We felt he was probably the weakest link in an otherwise brilliant team performance.

Mahamadou Doumbia - 9.0: Our Man of the Match, without a doubt. He was simply sensational. An assist, four key passes, and the creation of two big chances tells only part of the story. He ran the midfield with an authority that belied his years. Every time he got the ball, something positive happened. A joy to watch and the highest-rated player on the pitch.

Roger Fernandes - 6.5: He was a livewire, constantly trying to take on his man and drawing several fouls. He got into good positions but his final decision or pass sometimes let him down. A decent shift and he played his part in stretching the Al Sadd defence, but lacked that killer instinct.

Forwards

Youssef En-Nesyri - 8.5: A classic striker's performance. He took his goal with a poacher's instinct, a clinical left-footed finish that gave the keeper no chance. His movement was a nightmare for the Al Sadd defenders all game. He was a constant menace until he was subbed off for a well-deserved rest.

Substitutes

Awad Al Nashri - 6.0: Came on and helped see the game out. Picked up a late yellow.

George Ilenikhena - 6.0: Provided fresh legs up front but had little service to work with.

Steven Bergwijn - 6.0: Looked tidy in his cameo appearance.

Abdulaziz Al Bishi - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Jan-Carlo Simic - N/A: Brought on late to shore up the defence.

Manager

S. Marceneiro Conceição - 9.0: A tactical masterclass. He set his team up to press high and exploit Al Sadd's defensive frailties, and it worked to perfection. The game was won early thanks to his aggressive game plan. His substitutions were smart, resting key players once the job was done. Couldn't have asked for a better away day.

Al Sadd Player Ratings vs Al Ittihad

Here are Al Sadd player ratings from the AFC Champions League fixture against Al Ittihad:

Goalkeeper

Meshaal Barsham - 3.5: A dreadful night for the keeper. He conceded four goals and was at fault for at least one of them with a clear error. He only made one save all game and looked completely devoid of confidence. The defence in front of him was poor, but he offered no security behind them. A performance to forget.

Defenders

Pedro Miguel - 2.0: It's hard to be too critical, but his own goal was the stuff of nightmares. It was a moment that completely killed the game and summed up Al Sadd's evening. He looked shaken after that and struggled to recover. A truly torrid time for the defender, and our lowest-rated player.

Tarek Salman - 4.0: He was part of a defensive unit that was completely overwhelmed. The pace and movement of Al Ittihad's attack left him chasing shadows for most of the game. He was eventually substituted, which felt like a mercy. He just couldn't cope with the onslaught.

Paulo Otávio - 5.5: We have to give him credit for showing some fight. He made a high number of tackles and never gave up, which is more than can be said for some of his teammates. However, he was still part of a defence that conceded four, and he struggled to contain the opposition's wingers. A battling but ultimately losing effort.

Boualem Khoukhi - 5.0: The experienced defender tried to hold things together but it was an impossible task. He made a few interceptions but the defensive structure around him had collapsed. He ended up taking shots from distance, which from our perspective, looked like pure frustration. A difficult evening.

Midfielders

Akram Afif - 7.0: The captain was the only player who looked capable of creating anything for Al Sadd. To manage eight key passes in a team that was so comprehensively beaten is remarkable. He never stopped trying to drive his team forward. He was let down by a complete lack of quality around him.

Roberto Firmino - 6.5: He got the assist for Mujica's goal and showed some nice touches to link play. However, we also noticed he missed a couple of good chances that a player of his quality should be scoring. You could see the frustration on his face as the game slipped away. A mixed performance in a losing cause.

Claudinho - 5.5: He saw a lot of the ball but was largely ineffective. His passing was sideways and backwards, and he lost possession far too often in dangerous areas. We expected a lot more from him in a creative sense, but he was completely nullified by Al Ittihad's midfield.

Agustín Soria - 4.5: An almost anonymous performance. He was a passenger in midfield, losing his duels and failing to make any impact on the game whatsoever. The match just passed him by. It was a really tough one to watch him struggle so much.

Forwards

Rafa Mujica - 7.0: One of the few bright sparks for Al Sadd. He took his goal very well and was a physical handful for the defenders. He never gave up, fighting for every ball and getting a few shots away. His effort and goal were a small consolation on a dark night for his team.

Giovani - 3.0: Hooked after just 25 minutes. That tells you everything you need to know about his performance. He was completely invisible, offering no threat and failing to get involved in the play. The early substitution was a brutal but correct decision from the manager.

Substitutes

Anas Abweny - 5.0: Brought on early but couldn't change the flow of the game.

Romain Saïss - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Hashim Ali - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Younes El Hannach - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Javairô Dilrosun - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

R. Mancini - 3.0: From our perspective, he got his tactics completely wrong. The team was defensively chaotic from the opening minute. The defensive line was all over the place, and they were punished ruthlessly. His substitutions felt reactive rather than proactive. A very poor showing from such an experienced and respected coach.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match was Al Ittihad midfielder Mahamadou Doumbia.

Worst Performer

Pedro Miguel had a bad outing in the Al Sadd vs Al Ittihad match.