On a tense evening at Al Inma Bank Stadium, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai delivered a statement of intent in the AFC Champions League Elite West phase, edging Al-Ittihad FC 1-0 thanks to a decisive header from Iranian midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi five minutes before halftime. The result marks a second consecutive defeat for the Saudi Pro League champions, whose star-studded lineup—including Karim Benzema, Ngolo Kanté, and Fabinho—failed to unlock a resilient Dubai defense.

Shabab Al Ahli entered the fixture with discipline and tactical clarity, absorbing early pressure from the hosts before seizing their moment. The breakthrough arrived in the 40th minute: Federico Cartabia whipped in a corner from the right, and Ezatolahi—ghosting in at the far post—rose highest to nod the ball past the Ittihad keeper, sparking wild celebrations among the traveling supporters.

Al-Ittihad, still reeling from a recent coaching change following Laurent Blanc’s departure after Friday’s domestic defeat to Al-Nassr, struggled for rhythm under interim boss Hassan Khalifa. Despite enjoying spells of possession and boasting attacking firepower, the home side rarely threatened Paulo Sousa’s well-organized Shabab Al Ahli unit. The visitors, meanwhile, managed the game with maturity, stifling Benzema’s movement and limiting Kanté’s influence in midfield.

The second half saw Al-Ittihad push forward in search of an equalizer, but Shabab Al Ahli stood firm. Defensive stalwarts blocked shots and intercepted passes, while goalkeeper Majed Naser dealt confidently with aerial threats. The match’s momentum, as tracked by live analytics, showed Shabab Al Ahli’s ability to absorb waves of pressure and counter with precision when needed.

Mario Mitaj, Al-Ittihad’s defender, reflected on the disappointment post-match: “After a loss it’s always hard to describe how we feel, it’s not good. The only thing we can say is we will come back stronger, we will try to improve the things we did not do well and apologies to our fans who came to see us”.

With the win, Shabab Al Ahli climb to four points in the group, now just two behind table-toppers Al Hilal, and join Emirati compatriots Sharjah FC and Al Wahda in shaping a tightly contested West region phase. For Al-Ittihad, who now sit 11th in the 12-team standings, the pressure mounts as only the top eight progress to March’s knockout rounds.

This result not only signals Shabab Al Ahli’s ambitions but casts fresh scrutiny on Al-Ittihad’s direction amidst managerial upheaval. As the AFC Champions League Elite phase intensifies, both teams will need to recalibrate—with Shabab Al Ahli riding a wave of confidence, and Al-Ittihad searching for answers and cohesion in the weeks ahead.