Seven goals, nine yellow cards, and a relentless pendulum swing. Al-Ettifaq emerged victorious from a maelstrom, beating Al-Fateh 4-3 in a match that defied tactical neatness. To call this a controlled triumph would be to miss the point entirely. The undeniable verdict from EGO Stadium is that Al-Ettifaq secured this win not by disciplined dominance, but by sheer, desperate will, riding the crest of individual moments.

The hosts found themselves in a unique position, netting four goals yet always seemingly on the precipice of collapse. Their offensive output was impressive, with Khalid Al-Ghannam opening the scoring and Georginio Wijnaldum adding another before the break, punctuated by an own goal that further inflated their tally. Yet, the numbers paint a picture of a team under constant duress despite their lead. Al-Fateh registered a higher number of shots on target, 8 to Al-Ettifaq’s 5, forcing the home goalkeeper into 5 saves compared to Al-Fateh’s two. This suggests a more clinical, if less fortunate, attacking effort from the visitors.

Midfield Mastery Amidst the Madness

Amidst the chaos, Álvaro Medrán was the calm eye of Al-Ettifaq’s storm. Rated 9.1, the midfielder orchestrated much of Al-Ettifaq’s best play, contributing an assist and two key passes. His ability to win 8 duels underscored his physical presence, attempting to bring a semblance of order to what was often a frantic midfield battle. Without Medrán's relentless effort and vision, Al-Ettifaq's midfield might have been completely overrun, particularly as Al-Fateh consistently looked to exploit the flanks.

The visiting Al-Fateh, led by the incredible Mourad Batna, refused to buckle. Batna, the game’s MVP with a staggering 9.5 rating, single-handedly kept his side in contention, scoring two goals and assisting another. Alongside Sofiane Bendebka, who also found the net, and the creative Matías Vargas, Al-Fateh showcased a potent counter-attacking threat. Their strategy was clear: hit Al-Ettifaq hard and wide. Al-Fateh delivered 28 crosses, successfully connecting with 7 of them, a stark contrast to Al-Ettifaq's 9 attempts and just 2 successful deliveries. This aerial and wide dominance, winning 64% of their aerial duels compared to Al-Ettifaq’s 36%, presented a constant threat that Al-Ettifaq struggled to contain.

The Cracks in the Fortress

While the scoreline reads as a victory for Al-Ettifaq, a deeper review reveals significant defensive frailties. The home side made 31 clearances to Al-Fateh’s 20, indicating their backline was consistently scrambling to avert danger. This wasn't a performance of a team comfortably in control, but one reliant on last-ditch efforts and individual moments of brilliance, like Madallah Al-Olayan’s goal that briefly offered respite. The high number of yellow cards across both sides – 5 for Al-Ettifaq and 4 for Al-Fateh – further illustrates the unruliness of the contest, a testament to the emotional and physical intensity over refined tactical execution.

Al-Ettifaq secured the points, yet this win will likely leave Saad Ali Al Shehri with as many questions as answers. Can a team with such clear defensive vulnerabilities consistently outscore its opponents in the long run? As the league moves past Round 23, with only 11 rounds remaining, the margins for error become increasingly thin. This was a thrilling spectacle, undoubtedly, but it offered more entertainment than it did evidence of genuine championship mettle.