How Gerrard can use Eastern Derby to reignite Al Ettifaq's season

Imbued with considerable optimism brought about by Steven Gerrard’s second season in situ, Al Ettifaq burst out of the blocks.

The Dammam club, sixth last term in the Roshn Saudi League, reeled off three successive victories, albeit all by a narrow margin, some seized right at the death of matches. But they were the sort to build belief and amplify ambitions.

Gerrard, who arrived in Saudi Arabia last summer for a fresh coaching challenge, represented one of the most prominent names to join the great RSL revamp. Initial bumps at new employers smoothed, underlined by the agreement of a new contract mid-season, the sense was the Englishman's second campaign in the Kingdom would yield even better results.

Three matchweeks into the season, and Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq evolution appeared well set.

However, the five rounds since have stymied progress, the pressure beginning to pinch. Al Ettifaq have failed to record another win, losing three. Subsequently, they have slipped from third in the standings and into the bottom half.

In all, they have two wins from their past eight matches across all competitions. They have now exited one of those; Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to second-tier Al Jabalain in the King's Cup last 16 stinging significantly. Thus, it makes this weekend’s return to RSL action all the more important.

As if it needed an extra significance. On Saturday, Al Ettifaq entertain near neighbours Al Qadsiah in the league’s first Eastern Derby in more than three years. The contest, which concludes the RSL’s inaugural Derby Week – three mammoth derbies played out across three days – also throws up for Gerrard a maidan match-up against Al Qadsiah.

A bona-fide Liverpool legend, the former elite midfielder knows well what these types of encounters mean, to the respective clubs, supporters, and anyone connected to either side.

Gerrard will be familiar, also, with what they can offer. Of course, defeat can deepen the malaise. Yet triumph can transform the mood, among the squad, staff and around the entire club. For Al Ettifaq in particular, this Eastern Derby can serve as a launchpad to turn around their season.

Their issues have primarily been going forward. They have registered eight goals in eight RSL matches, the fewest of any team in the top 10, although only Al Riyadh among that group have conceded more, with 12 compared to Al Ettifaq’s 10.

However, that stunted attack has placed more burden on the backline. Moussa Dembele leads Al Ettifaq’s scoring this season, with three goals in eight appearances. Of his teammates, only Joao Costa has managed more than one.

As a whole, Al Ettifaq possess the second-lowest shooting accuracy in the competition this campaign, with 40.8 percent from 76 attempted shots. For what it’s worth, Al Qadsiah rank as the division’s third best at present (57%). Dig a little deeper, and Al Ettifaq’s shot conversion comes in at 10.5% - the fifth lowest in the league. It won’t help, either, that Al Qadsiah have kept four clean sheets upon their return to the RSL, a joint-best in the league, alongside Al Hilal and Al Shabab.

But this weekend especially, Gerrard will have to find a way to sharpen his side. Certainly, the talent is there. Dembele is ably supported by playmaker Alvaro Medran, a regular RSL performer, while Demarai Gray should supply speed and creation on the wing. As mentioned, fellow wideman Costa has made an impact since his summer transfer from AS Roma.

For the visit of Al Qadsiah, Al Ettifaq much improve their home form, too. At present, they have the third worst record on their own patch in 2024-25, with a single win from four. In fact, they have lost their past three. To emphasis the struggle, the Dammam side have succumbed to four straight RSL home defeats only twice before, in the 2013-14 and 2019-20 seasons.

That said, the perfect tonic remains victory in the one that, to all intents and purposes, means most. Prevail on Saturday, delight in the derby, and Gerrard and Al Ettifaq can reset and refocus on the best route forward. From there, a sustained revival will feel all the more realistic.

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