Al-Ittihad Club, the reigning Saudi league champion, faces an early Asian challenge as it takes on Qatar's Al-Gharafa, aiming to overcome its local crises and affirm its presence in the elite AFC Champions League.

The club is seeking to regain its balance after its performance declined this season, as it currently holds the seventh position in the Saudi league standings, which has placed increasing pressure on the team both technically and from the fans.

The challenges doubled following the departure of stars Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté during the winter transfer window, both of whom were among the most prominent names to join the team in the summer of 2023.

The absence of the duo has cast a shadow over the performance of the team both locally and continentally, at a time when the coaching staff is striving to reorganize and build a lineup capable of competing.

The Union currently holds the sixth position in the West Asia standings of the AFC Champions League for the elite, with two decisive rounds remaining in the battle for qualification to the knockout stages.

The departure of Benzema stands out particularly, especially after his move to Al-Hilal, one of the teams that have officially secured qualification to the round of 16, which has intensified comparisons and pressures.

Al Hilal, Al Ahli, Tractor Sazi of Iran, and Al Wahda of the UAE have qualified for the next round, while several teams, including Shabab Al Ahli, Al Duhail, and Al Sharjah, are competing for the remaining spots.

The Eastern competitions are witnessing an equally fierce battle, with Vissel Kobe leading the standings. Japanese, Australian, and Korean clubs are competing for qualification spots before the final stages kick off in Jeddah.