ACL MD5 - Group A: Al Ittihad v Sepahan preview

Muntari (pictured in action against Al Nasr on Matchday 3) missed the 0-0 draw with Al Nasr on Matchday Four due to suspension but returns for a game the 2004 and 2005 champions need to win to retain any hope of advancing to the knockout phase of the competition.

Al Ittihad are in third place in the group, four points adrift of Al Nasr and a point further behind leaders Lokomotiv and Victor Piturca’s side must pick up a second victory of the group stage to stay alive.

“We want to win and get the three points from the match tomorrow,” said Piturca. “We still have a chance to qualify to the knockout stage of the competition and we will hold on to it until the last minute of our campaign.

“We have improved in recent matches and this is giving us a big push in order to achieve a victory tomorrow. We will miss the services of some key players but I’m confident that our players will rise to the occasion and give a good account of Al Ittihad.”

Al Ittihad will be missing Ziyadh Al Sahafi, who is suspended after a second booking of the group stage against Al Nasr, while Ahmed Asiri’s sending off in the same game means he is also unavailable.

Sepahan, meanwhile, must also pick up all three points to keep their hopes of playing in the next phase of the competition intact. The Iranians, who lost in the final in 2007 to Urawa Reds, trail Al Ittihad on goal difference and will be without the suspended Saeid Ghaedifar.

“We have prepared very well for this important match and I’m confident the team will play well,” said coach Igor Stimac. “It will be very difficult for the two teams but we have a great desire to win and get the three points tomorrow.

“Al Ittihad are a strong team and they have a lot of experience in this competition. We should be wary of their strength and avoid making mistakes because they know how to take advantage.”

Photo: Lagardère Sports