The Portuguese coach of Al-Ittihad, Sergio Conceicao, prefers to rest the Dutch player Steven Bergwijn from the match against Al-Fayha in the Saudi Roshn League, in preparation for the upcoming Asian competition.

The coaching staff is focusing on preparing Bergwijn physically and technically to be ready for the match against Al Sadd of Qatar in the AFC Champions League for the elite, following his recent recovery from injury.

Bergwijn is expected to appear in Al-Ittihad's lineup against Al-Sadd next Tuesday, as part of the eighth round of the West Group competitions, in a match to be held at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.

The match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Sadd will kick off at 7:00 PM Saudi time, in a game where Al-Ittihad aims to strengthen its continental position.

This season, Bergewijn participated in 20 matches across various competitions with Al-Ittihad, during which he scored 8 goals and provided 2 assists, according to Transfermarkt data.

The Union hosts its counterpart Al-Fayha on Friday evening at the Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, as part of the twenty-second round of the Saudi League.

Al-Ittihad enters the match in seventh place with 34 points, having secured them from 10 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses.