It will be a game between two struggling sides when Al Shorta welcome Al Ittihad Club to the Al-Madina International Stadium in Baghdad for their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26.
Al Shorta are the reiging Champions of Iraqi league. So far they collected only 1 point after 2 first games, a draw 1-1 against Al Sadd and lost 2-0 against Al Gharafa.
They don't have much experience or quality to compete in this Asian level, expect some Iraqi national team players and 2 foreigners.
Al Ittihad in other hand, one of the best teams in Asia are coming after 2 consecutive losts against Al Ahli Dubai 2-0 and Al Wahda 2-1. This mean today's game is very decisive about future in this competition. Even in Saudi League they didn't started well making the management changing the coach. Portuguese Conceicao debuted with a draw 1-1 against Al Feiha in Saudi League.
Al Ittihad can rely on players of calible like Benzema,Kante,Bergwijn,Fabinho or Moussa Diaby.
The changed of the coach will probably boost the team and win against a weak Al Shorta.
