Al Qadsiah host neighbours Al Ettifaq in the Eastern Derby on Friday, and Brendan Rodgers’ side go into it still smarting from last season’s upset. The match is arriving at a point when both teams want control, but the route to it looks different for each.
That is why the search interest around Al Qadsiah vs Al-Ettifaq is pointing straight at the midfield and the flanks. Al Ettifaq have led possession in every match and average 58 percent possession with 435 passes, while Al Qadsiah have trailed in possession only once, against NEOM SC, a game they still won 2-0. They also average 57.5 percent possession and 507 passes, which gives this derby a rare shape: one side has been the cleaner possession team, the other the more active passer.
The key battles are not hard to find. Alvaro Medran has one goal and two assists, leads the league for opposition-half passes with 301 and is second for chances created on 18, so he is likely to be the hinge between patient buildup and the final ball. Tijjani Reijnders brings another route, with three goals from 14 shots, eight of them on target, and he already showed his finishing range with a brace against Al Ahli. In front of them, Julian Quinones has two goals in six rounds and four goals in four matches against Al Ettifaq, including a double in last season’s 3-2 loss. That is the sort of record that changes the way a derby is played before kickoff.
There is, though, a complication Rodgers cannot ignore. Jack Hendry went off injured on Tuesday against Al Faisaly, and Abdullah Madu could step in if he is not ready. That matters because Al Ettifaq have three clean sheets in four matches, while Al Qadsiah’s wide threat has been strong enough that Radi Al Otaibi and Madallah Al Olayan may be asked to keep it in check. Christopher Bonsu Baah still arrived at his first assist against Al Ahli despite creating 11 chances, and Mohammed Abu Al Shamat has added three goals and two assists, so the supply lines are there even if the back line shifts.
Friday should settle less on possession alone than on which side turns its ball control into sharper chances. If Al Qadsiah get Medran and Quinones into the game early, the upset memory can stop being a burden and start looking like a warning for Al Ettifaq. If Al Ettifaq keep the ball and shut down the wings, they can make this derby look much more like a measured response than a repeat of last season.
