Marcelo Gallardo’s Busy Schedule in Saudi Arabia: Facing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Team and More

Marcelo Gallardo’s team would face Cristiano Ronaldo’s team before the end of the year

Marcelo Gallardo left yesterday for Saudi Arabia, where in the next few hours he will take charge of the Al-Ittihad team, one of the most powerful teams in the Saudi league. The team in which the French Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté are active was champion of the last local league and that is why they were awarded the possibility of playing in the preliminary round of the Club World Cup, the most important challenge that the Argentine coach will have in the next weeks. First, he will have his baptism in the domestic championship and, before the end of the year, he will meet Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

It must be remembered that it will not be Muñeco’s first time in Arab territory, since at the beginning of the year he had been called up to lead a team full of stars (made up of players from Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr), which faced Paris Saint Germain within the framework of the Riyahd Season. It was precisely during the celebration of that match that the coach met CR7, captain of his team, in that exhibition that attracted the attention of the whole world and ended 5-4 in favor of a Parisian team that included Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. Now, Gallardo will have to face the Portuguese, although first he will have other commitments to face.

Gallardo’s debut would be next Friday, November 24, when Al-Ittihad visits Al-Ettifaq for the 14th matchday of the Saudi championship. The Tigers, as they nickname their new club, are in fifth place, 11 points behind the leader Al-Hilal, a team that includes stars such as Neymar (injured), the Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bono, the Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly and is led by by the Portuguese Jorge Jesús. The guard is Cristiano’s Al-Nassr, who is 4 units from the top.

Al-Ittihad will have just three days of rest before their next duel, valid for the fifth day of the Asian Champions League zone. On Monday 11/27 they will visit OKMK of Uzbekistan, who did not score points in their first four presentations. If they triumph, those led by Gallardo could secure their ticket to the round of 16 as leaders of Group C. It is worth noting that the Tigres obtained a continental double in the 2004 and 2005 seasons that place them among the most powerful clubs in the region. Al-Hilal is the top exponent with 4 titles, while Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan and FC Pohang Steelers from South Korea have 3.

On Thursday the 30th, the Muñeco will have its presentation at home in the Saudi League. The current rival will be Al-Khaleej, who is at the bottom of the table and has the former Argentine Boca Lisandro López in his ranks. Monday, December 4, will be their last appearance in the group stage of the Asian Champions League, this time at home, to host Sepahan of Iran. And on Thursday 7/12 he will perform for the last time (as a visitor to Damac) in the local league, before making his debut in the Club World Cup.

“In a short time we have a challenge with the Club World Cup that also tests us quickly, so that’s good,” declared the multi-champion coach with River, who signed a contract until June 2025 (with the option to renew it for two years further). If Al-Ittihad overcomes the first two knockout rounds against Auckland City of New Zealand (Tuesday 12/12) and Al-Ahly of Egypt (Friday 15/12), they will then play the semifinals against Fluminense on Monday, December 18. The first great desire will be to play in the Club World Cup final on Friday 12/22, a priori, against the favorite Manchester City. If they advance through several phases, they will postpone their commitments to the King Cup and the Saudi League. However, the home match against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, scheduled for Tuesday, December 26, would be fixed on the calendar.

MARCELO GALLARDO’S AGENDA IN SAUDI ARABIA UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR

· Friday 11/24: away debut against Al-Ettifaq (Saudi Professional League)

· Monday 11/27: visitor of OKMK from Uzbekistan (group stage of the Asian Champions League)

· Thursday 11/30: Al-Khaleej home (Saudi Professional League)

· Monday 4/12: home of Sepahan in Iran (last date of the Asian Champions League group stage)

· Thursday 12/7: visitor to Damac (Saudi Professional League)

· Mars 12/12: vs. Auckland City (Club World Cup preliminary round)

· Friday 12/15 (if you pass the round)*: vs. Al-Ahly of Egypt (Club World Cup quarterfinals)

· Monday 12/18 (if you pass the round)*: vs. Fluminense (Club World Cup semi-finals)

· Tuesday 12/19 (if eliminated in the Club World Cup)*: visitor to Al-Faysaly (King Cup quarterfinals)

· Friday 12/22 (if you pass the round)*: vs. Manchester City/León of Mexico/Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan (Club World Cup final)

· Saturday 12/23 (if the Club World Cup final is not played)*: Al-Raed home (Saudi Professional League)

· Tuesday 12/26: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr home (Saudi Professional League)

· Saturday 12/30: visitor to Al-Taee (Saudi Professional League)

*Matches to be confirmed depending on Al-Ittihad’s performance in the Club World Cup

2023-11-19 03:33:00
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