Old trends resurface for Al-Ittihad after loss to Shabab Al-Ahli in AFC Champions League Elite

Al-Ittihad suffered a 2-1 defeat against Shabab Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League Elite after falling into an early two-goal deficit. Richard Rios scored once for Al-Ittihad, but the team was unable to complete a comeback.

The loss marks Al-Ittihad's second consecutive season beginning their campaign in the continental competition with two winless matches, bringing familiar early-season struggles back to the forefront.