In their first match since winning the Saudi Pro League in May, the Jeddah side face Esperance de Tunis in Taif on Thursday in their opening game at the King Salman Club Cup Striker Romarino said: ‘With the presence of the new players, we will have a great squad to compete for the valuable cup’ JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad will return to competitive action on Thursday, for the first time since winning the Saudi Pro League title in May, when they face Esperance de Tunis in their opening Group A clash at the 2023 King Salman Club Cup in Taif. On Wednesday night, Al-Ittihad coach Nuno Espirito Santo said he expects it to be a difficult game. “So far, the squad of Al-Ittihad have not been completely completed, and we are awaiting the arrival of other players to the roaster of the team,” he said. “I know that the Al-Ittihad fans are very enthusiastic about this tournament and they are looking for victories and titles, especially after winning the Saudi Professional League. We will work with our full force in this tournament to make them happy. “Our team has been in training camp for the past few weeks in Taif and we are looking forward to bringing glory to this club.” He said he has been informed by the club’s owners that recently signed international stars, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanti and Jota, are available for selection. Regarding the opposition, Santo said: “I followed the last four matches of Esperance and I know what they lack and what are the strengths of this team. The confrontation will be difficult.” Al-Ittihad’s striker Romarino said: “With the presence of the new players, we will have a great squad to compete for the valuable cup.” The Tunisian side’s head coach, Moine Chaabani, said the timing of the competition, also known as the Arab Club Champions Cup, is less than ideal for his team, which is going through a transitional period after the departure of key players and as the signing of new players continues during the summer transfer window. “The Arab championship may be a favorable opportunity for the team to start again and return to the right path, and the opportunity is suitable for contact with great stars,” he said. He noted that Esperance have the best record in the tournament, having won it three times and finished runners-up twice, and said this offers an incentive for new and younger players to step up, along with an opportunity to gain experience. “We are facing a very strong team, which includes great names such as Benzema and Kanti, but we will play to defeat them,” Chaabani added. The game will kick off at King Fahd Stadium in Taif at 10 p.m. local time. Al-Ittihad finished runners-up to Moroccan side Raja Club Athletic of Casablanca in the previous Arab Club Champions Cup, in 2020. The Saudis lost 4-3 on penalties in the final, after the game ended 4-4.