Marcelo Grohe, Brazilian goalkeeper for Al Ittihad, has been crowned Saudi Arabia’s best goalkeeper of the month for August, rewarding his brilliant performance in the nets at the start of the season. His coach, Portuguese Nuno Santo, was also honored as coach of the month, while Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the title of best player.
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Grohe impresses with four clean sheets
The reason behind this distinction for the Brazilian goalkeeper Grohe is simple: he maintained his clean sheets at the start of the season. Indeed, Grohe played four games during the month of August, and each time he kept his goal safe from any opposition intrusion, recording an impressive tally of four clean sheets. This string of outstanding performances was crucial for Al Ittihad, who enjoyed a strong start to the season.
This is the 8th time that he has won this individual distinction after August and December 2020, April and May 2021, March 2022, February 2023, March 2023 and finally this month of August 2023.
First real test for Grohe today
However, the challenge promises to be a tough one for Grohe today, as Al Ittihad prepare to face Al Hilal in the first clash of this season in Saudi Arabia. Neymar and his Al Hilal side are renowned for their attacking power, and this could be the moment Grohe concedes his first goal of the season.
As a reminder, Marcelo Grohe spent most of his career in Brazil, wearing the colors of Grêmio, his training club, from 2005 to 2019. It was in 2019 that he took the plunge by joining the ranks of Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
His transition to Saudi football was successful with a championship won in 2023 and a Saudi Super Cup won the year before, and his latest honor as Best Goalkeeper of the Month is proof of that.
Yet to concede a goal in the #RoshnSaudiLeague this season… ❌
Your August Goalkeeper of the Month: Marcelo Grohe 🧤#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/tZIJhDNirB
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) August 31, 2023
