Details of the Final Training Session: Jesus Surprises Al Nassr Players Before Al-Ittihad Clash

Press reports have revealed that Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, the technical director of Saudi club Al Nassr, decided to limit the training session to a short period not exceeding 45 minutes on Monday evening, in preparation for the anticipated match against Al-Ittihad.

According to what was reported by the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiah, citing special sources within the club, Jesus preferred to reduce the training duration due to the physical fatigue observed in several players in recent days.

This fatigue was a result of the packed schedule in the league and the Asian Championship, which prompted him to change the training program and opt for a short technical session at the club's headquarters.

Details of Al Nassr's Final Training Session

Al Nassr's training began inside the gym with light fitness drills, followed by the team moving to the main pitch to complete the second part of the session. During this part, Jesus focused on tactical movements and defensive positioning against counter-attacks, without conducting a tactical drill as is customary.

The Portuguese coach informed his players that the starting lineup for the match against Al-Ittihad will be announced during the final technical meeting hours before the kick-off, to ensure all players remain focused and mentally prepared.

Ayman Yahya's Return Boosts Al Nassr's Squad

The same sources confirmed that international player Ayman Yahya is medically and technically ready to participate in the match, after recovering from a recent groin injury. Yahya's return is a significant boost for the team, especially given the absence of several key players such as Marcelo Brozović and Saad Al-Nasser.

Jesus is currently relying on player rotation across competitions to prevent injuries, as well as focusing on increasing the team's effectiveness in the attacking third, despite a decline in the scoring rate in some recent matches, even with Al Nassr possessing an offensive arsenal including Ronaldo, Mané, and Talisca.

Al Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad Match Details

The match between Al-Ittihad and Al Nassr is scheduled to take place on Tuesday evening, October 28, 2025, at Al-Awwal Park stadium in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as part of the Round of 16 of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Cup for the 2025-2026 season.

The kick-off will be at 9:00 PM Mecca and Cairo time. The match is expected to witness a large fan turnout and anticipated football excitement between two of Saudi Arabia's most historic clubs, in one of the most prominent clashes of this round of the most prestigious tournament in Saudi football.