The Al-Ittihad first football team is set to face Al-Najma on Saturday, in the third round of the Roshen Saudi League, amidst significant absentees that add extra difficulty to the coach's calculations.

The team will miss the services of French star Karim Benzema, who is sidelined due to injury, representing a major offensive loss for a team that heavily relies on his experience and presence in the penalty area.

Player Abdulaziz Al-Bishi is also unavailable due to injury, while Hassan Kadesh continues to stay away from participation due to not being fully fit, which reduces the defensive options available to the coaching staff.

Al-Ittihad is also suffering from the absence of goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic after receiving a red card in the previous round, which forces the coach to rely on a less experienced substitute in a critical position.

Despite these absentees, Al-Ittihad enters the match with high confidence, having achieved a perfect score from the first two rounds with a big win against Al-Akhidood away from home, with a score of 5-2, and then overcoming Al-Fateh in Jeddah with a score of 4-2.

Al-Ittihad fans hope the team continues its winning streak and maintains its lead in the standings, hoping for the return of its injured and suspended stars in the upcoming rounds to enhance its chances in the title race.