The head coach Sergio Conceição is looking for the best solution to compensate for the absence of his defender Saad Al-Mousa, ahead of the anticipated match between Al-Ittihad and their traditional rival Al-Ahli, in the eighth round of the Saudi Roshan League.

Sources revealed to the Saudi sports newspaper that the Portuguese coach is considering between Mohammed Barnaoui, Hassan Kadhesh, and Carlo Simic to decide who will stand alongside Danilo Pereira in the defense during the anticipated match.

It is expected that Conceição will make his final decision during the last training session this evening, as he aims to prepare the most balanced lineup in light of the absences the team has been facing recently.

The club officially announced that their defender Saad Al-Mousa has suffered a fracture in his right ankle during a training session on Wednesday, which will keep him out of the game for an extended period.

The team will also be deprived of Fabinho Tavares' services in the match against Al-Ahli after his red card in the last game against Al-Khaleej, which adds to the difficulty of Conceição's task in selecting the appropriate defensive lineup.

The Union is in eighth place in the standings with 11 points, while Al Ahly is in sixth place with 13 points, making Saturday's match an opportunity for both teams to improve their positions before the international break.