Houssem Aouar will miss Al-Ittihad's friendly clash against Las Palmas on Saturday as manager Jens Wissing manages the Algerian midfielder's return to pre-season training. The midfielder only recently rejoined the Saudi club's camp in Spain following his international commitments with Algeria at the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Wissing has implemented a tailored conditioning programme for Aouar rather than risk early deployment in a warm-up fixture. The 26-year-old midfielder requires intensive fitness work to reach match sharpness ahead of competitive fixtures, a decision that underscores the coaching staff's cautious approach to player rotation during this preparation phase. Las Palmas provides an opportunity for other squad members to gain minutes at La Quinta stadium in Marbella.
Pre-Season Schedule and Competitive Fixtures Ahead
Al-Ittihad, known as the Tigers, continue their Spanish training camp with a final friendly against Real Mallorca on 30 July before departing for Jeddah. The club's first competitive test arrives swiftly, with a crucial AFC Champions League Elite play-off qualifier scheduled for 11 August against Emirati side Al-Jazira. This fixture carries significant weight in determining the Tigers' continental campaign trajectory for the season.
Aouar's absence from the Las Palmas encounter reflects standard sports medicine protocols during international break recovery. By concentrating on individual conditioning rather than competitive match rhythm, Wissing aims to have his midfielder fully available when the season genuinely begins. The strategic timing of Aouar's reintegration demonstrates how elite clubs balance squad management with preparation demands during crowded fixture calendars.
