Aouar Returns for Al-Ittihad’s AFC Champions League Opener

Al-Ittihad head into Asia with a key piece back in place.

Head coach Jens Wissing confirmed that Houssem Aouar is ready to return for the Saudi giants ahead of their AFC Champions League Elite opener against Al-Shamal of Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Monday.

Wissing, speaking in the pre-match press conference and quoted by Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, made it clear: Aouar is available and in contention to play.

That news lands perfectly for “the Tigers”.

The Algerian midfielder missed Al-Ittihad’s last outing, a 3-1 victory over Al-Faisaly in the seventh round of the Saudi Roshn League on Friday, but his brief absence will not stretch into continental duty.

And his impact since arriving from Roma in the summer of 2024 explains why his return matters so much.

Aouar has quickly grown into one of Al-Ittihad’s standout performers this season, knitting midfield and attack with the kind of composure and final-ball quality that travels well on the Asian stage. He has already made eight appearances across all competitions, scoring twice and providing one assist.

For a club chasing a deep run in the newly formatted AFC Champions League Elite, getting their creative heartbeat back just as the group campaign begins is more than a simple fitness boost. It sharpens their ambitions.

Now the question is simple: with Aouar back in the XI, how far can Al-Ittihad push in Asia?