Fabinho impressed on his Al-Ittihad debut, assuring the fans of a bright future. The Brazilian footballer from Liverpool provided a good display in his first game for Al-Ittihad, leaving a lasting mark as his side won a resounding 3-0 victory over Al-Raed.
Donning the iconic Al-Ittihad jersey for the first time, the Seleção star spoke enthusiastically after his team’s triumph, stressing that he had much more to offer the Saudi football scene.
In a post-match interview with SSC, Fabinho said: “We were stronger in the first half and managed to control the pace of the game despite the sweltering weather conditions.”
He went on to say: “Although we didn’t create many chances, we clearly dominated in the second half scoring three goals. We could have scored more, but the main thing was our control and pace throughout the game.
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Fabinho’s arrival boosts hopes of Al-Ittihad supporters
Analyzing the tactical aspects, Fabinho said: “We were able to take advantage of Al-Raed’s defensive disorganizations, positioned ourselves effectively and saw a stronger overall performance. This is my first game with the team, and there will be many more.”
“Having played five years at Liverpool, I was one of the best players in my position. Yet, there is always room for improvement. I am still young and I aspire to continue to develop in order to contribute significantly to the success of the team.
The Seleção player signed a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad after leaving Liverpool. He joins the ranks of Frenchmen Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté, as well as Portuguese midfielder Felipe Jota, recruited during the summer transfer window to strengthen the team.
With the arrival of Fabinho, Al-Ittihad supporters have high hopes. The 29-year-old Brazilian should effectively fill the void left by Hegazi’s departure, thanks to his exceptional talent as a defensive midfielder and central defender. His addition should strengthen the team’s power and its strategic position in the coming season.
