Rajkovic injury relapse: Al-Ittihad face two matches without the Serbian wall

Al-Ittihad will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic for the next two matches after he failed to recover from a tear in his abdominal muscle wall. Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah revealed that the Serbian will miss the Round 7 clash with Al-Faisaly in the Roshn Saudi League and the opening AFC Champions League Elite game against Qatar's Al-Shamal. Rajkovic already missed the 2-1 win over Al-Fayha, having previously watched from the sidelines in the 2-1 victory against Al-Nassr. Al-Ittihad had confirmed the goalkeeper was injured along with Ahmed Al-Julaidan and Moukhtar Ali. According to the report, Rajkovic will return to training only after the break coinciding with the Saudi national team's participation in the Gulf Cup, which runs from September 23 to October 6. His absence tests the team's squad depth and forces a tactical adjustment in build-up play. The two upcoming opponents may not be top-tier, but Al-Faisaly are dangerous on set pieces and Al-Shamal will be motivated in the continental competition. Al-Ittihad need to find a reliable replacement and avoid over-reliance on their injured wall.