AFC Champions League Elite Gameweek 2, West
Al-Ittihad FC 0 - 1 FT Shabab Al Ahli Dubai
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Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Fri, Sep 11
Kyoto Sanga
2-3
Kashiwa Reysol
⚡ Intensity
98
⚖️ Balance
91
🏆 Stakes
56
🎲 Upset
0
Segawa sparks stunning ten-man Reysol comeback.
Futmetrix Verdict
23
FT
Fri, Sep 11
Sevilla
1-0
Valencia
⚡ Intensity
21
⚖️ Balance
28
🏆 Stakes
10
🎲 Upset
0
Late Iglesias strike sinks struggling Valencia.
Futmetrix Verdict
11
Athletic Club
vs
Elche
Sat, Sep 12 • 16:30 UTC
⚡ Form
66
⚖️ Balance
50
🏆 Stakes
0
⭐ Stars
56
Early struggles meet ruthless Basque ambitions.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
S. Ezatolahi (F. Cartabia) 40'
Igor Gomes 45'+2
HT
59' ↓ A. Al Julaydan ↑Roger
↓ Yuri Cesar ↑S. Azmoun 65'
↓ F. Cartabia ↑Y. Al Ghassani 77'
↓ S. Ezatolahi ↑Breno 77'
79' ↓ J. Simic ↑A. Al Ghamdi
Breno Cascardo 80'
81' Roger Fernandes
↓ S. Adil ↑M. Dabbur 83'
↓ Mateus Henrique ↑Rikelme 83'
86' ↓ M. Mitaj ↑S. Al Shehri
86' ↓ S. Bergwijn ↑M. Fagihy
Guilherme Bala 87'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Al-Ittihad FC
Goalkeepers
Predrag Rajkovic 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Ahmed Al Julaydan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Jan-Carlo Šimić
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
Danilo Pereira 
MAGNET
96
Activity
96
Activity
83
Passes
13
Duels
Mario Mitaj 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
5
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
N'Golo Kanté
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
66
Passes
6
Duels
Mahamadou Doumbia
MAGNET
71
Activity
71
Activity
57
Passes
14
Duels
Fabinho
MAGNET
68
Activity
68
Activity
59
Passes
9
Duels
Forwards
Moussa Diaby 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
37%
Pass Acc
Karim Benzema
MAGNET
48
Activity
48
Activity
41
Passes
7
Duels
Steven Bergwijn 
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
24%
Pass Acc
6.7
Rating
BENCH
Mohammed Al Absi 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Osama Al Mermesh
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Saad Al Mosa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ahmed Sharahili
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Muath Faqeehi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Awad Al Nashri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Faisal Al Ghamdi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hamed Al Ghamdi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Roger Fernandes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Saleh Al Shehri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Abdulaziz Al Bishi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ahmed Al Ghamdi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai
Defenders
Mateus Henrique
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
Igor Gomes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Renan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kauan Santos 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
H. Al Meqebaali
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Nemanja Maksimović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Saeed Ezatolahi 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Federico Cartabia 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
Yuri Cesar 
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Guilherme
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
34%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Sultan Adil
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
BENCH
Rakaan Al Menhali
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Kaiky
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mersad Seifi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Harib Abdalla
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sebastian Gonzalez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Breno Cascardo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yahya Al Ghassani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Moanes Dabbur
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mohammed Juma
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sardar Azmoun
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Khamis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Rikelme
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +11
P: 8 GD: +12
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -14
P: 8 GD: -14
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Al-Ittihad FC
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai
Al-Ittihad FC
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Efficient Visitors Silence Alinma Stadium
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 15/100. Shabab Al Ahli Dubai delivered a masterclass in defensive resilience and counter-attacking efficiency to derail Al-Ittihad FC's momentum in this continental showdown.
The Territorial Monopoly
Reporting from Alinma Stadium, the early phases of this AFC Champions League encounter were defined by a stark contrast in styles. Al-Ittihad FC established a territorial monopoly from the outset, moving the ball with clinical precision to record a 92% pass accuracy. With the home side dominating possession at 67%, the midfield engine room worked tirelessly to pin the visitors back into their own third. Despite this control, the opening half was a tale of frustration for the hosts. An Intensity score of 2.3 highlights a match that saw a high volume of attempts, yet Al-Ittihad found it difficult to convert their 578 passes into clear-cut opportunities. Karim Benzema worked hard to lead the line, but the lack of a Balance between possession and penetration left the home supporters anxious as the half wore on.
The Counter-Attacking Surge
The pivot of the match occurred when the tactical narrative shifted from Al-Ittihad’s control to the visitors' lethal efficiency on the break. While the hosts were content to recycle possession, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai were far more direct, unleashing 17 total shots despite seeing so little of the ball. The Upset Factor rating of 0.0 might suggest the form guide held true, but the reality on the pitch was far more volatile. Shabab Al Ahli created 2 big chances and forced 5 saves from the home keeper, testing the structural integrity of the Al-Ittihad defence at every opportunity. Munas Dabbur and the visiting frontline remained a constant menace, exploiting the space behind the advanced Al-Ittihad full-backs. It was this willingness to strike rapidly that eventually broke the deadlock and stunned the local crowd.
Defensive Fortitude and Aftermath
The resolution of the contest saw Al-Ittihad throw everything forward, but their 27 crosses yielded little against a resolute Shabab Al Ahli backline that registered 28 clearances. Even as the Stakes of the match rose in the final minutes, the visitors remained composed, successfully navigating three yellow cards to maintain their slender advantage. For Al-Ittihad, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow given their statistical dominance in every category except the scoreline. They leave Alinma Stadium reflecting on a match where 10 shots and 5 corners were not enough to overcome a disciplined opponent. For Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, this 1-0 victory provides a massive boost to their Group Stage ambitions, proving that clinical finishing and 17 shots can outweigh even the most dominant possession statistics in high-level continental football.
Key Questions
Who won the match between Al-Ittihad and Shabab Al Ahli?
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai won the match 1-0 against Al-Ittihad FC away at Alinma Stadium.
How much possession did Al-Ittihad have?
Al-Ittihad FC dominated the match with 67% possession but failed to find the back of the net.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
The Fight for the Top Eight Intensifies
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 54/100. This is a pivotal junction in the League Phase where Al-Ittihad's attacking fire meets Shabab Al Ahli's desperate need for defensive stability.
The Setup
As the AFC Champions League moves into a crucial phase, Al-Ittihad FC enters Alinma Stadium boasting a Form rating of 7.3. Their offensive output has been staggering, averaging 2.8 goals per game, spearheaded by the likes of Y. En-Nesyri and M. Diaby. Currently sitting 5th, they are looking to pull away from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, who occupy the 6th spot. The Stakes are set at a high 6.0, as this match represents a classic six-pointer in the race for direct knockout qualification. While the visitors have shown flashes of quality, their inconsistent run (DLWLW) suggests they may struggle to contain a side that has won four of their last five matches.
Key Battle
The game will be won or lost in the transition. Al-Ittihad’s high-velocity midfield unit will attempt to overwhelm the Shabab Al Ahli backline through sheer volume of chances. The visitors will rely on their defensive block to withstand the initial pressure and look for long-ball outlets to exploit the space behind the hosts' marauding full-backs. It is a tactical chess match where the home side's superior Stars power—including the creative spark of Roger Fernandes—is expected to find the necessary cracks.
Our Prediction
Al-Ittihad’s relentless scoring record is the deciding factor here. While S. Azmoun remains a threat for the Dubai side, the lack of Balance in the visitors' defensive transitions will likely be their undoing. We expect Al-Ittihad to control the tempo and capitalise on set-piece opportunities. A 3-1 victory for the hosts seems the most probable outcome, cementing their position in the upper reaches of the table.