KOOORA Karim Malim Apr 13, 2026 04:33+06:00 Translated by Al-Sadd’s coach and Italy’s epic run… Mancini draws inspiration from history to defeat Al-Hilal FEATURES Al Hilal vs Al-Sadd | Al Hilal | Al-Sadd | AFC Champions League Elite | Italy | World Cup | R. Mancini | Saudi Arabia | Qatar | Italy | Egypt | Algeria | Jordan | Morocco A secret recipe in Jeddah The presence of “The Steadfast Chef” at Al Sadd’s training camp was no casual appearance; it signalled a deliberate move to influence unseen aspects of the club’s campaign. Behind the scenes, away from the pre-match clamour, the Steadfast Cook travelled with the Qatari delegation to Jeddah as the guardian of an invisible recipe that might prove decisive. The scene echoes a distant memory: talent alone was not enough; Italy once craved something simpler yet deeper. After the Morocco-Senegal crisis, Africa is changing forever. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s star faces Real Madrid on the sidelines. From Al Sadd’s present camp to Italy’s old triumphs, the narrative echoes: can victories be born in the kitchen, or is it the work done behind closed doors that carves glory before it’s etched on the pitch? Arab football fans are eagerly awaiting one of the most prominent clashes in Asian football, as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal face their Qatari counterparts Al-Sadd at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium tomorrow, Monday, in the round of 16 of the 2025–2026 AFC Champions League. The winner will advance to the quarter-finals to face Japanese side Vissel Kobe, with Jeddah hosting the later rounds. From La Masia to the stands, one question remains: what is happening with Hamza Abdulkarim? Paris Saint-Germain snatches a Barcelona target. AFP Mancini has strengthened Al Sadd’s squad with ten foreign signings. Al Sadd manager Roberto Mancini has picked a 24-man squad with 10 foreigners, featuring Brazilian left-back Paulo Otávio, right winger Giovanni Henrique, playmaker Claudinho, and Roberto Firmino up front. The squad also includes Moroccan centre-back Romain Saïss, Uruguayan midfielder Agustín Soria, Spanish striker Rafa Mochica, French right-back Younes El Hannash, Dutch winger Javiero Delroson and Malian midfielder Mohamed Kamara. Fourteen Qatari internationals complete the matchday squad, among them 2019 and 2023 Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif, captain Hassan Al-Haydos and right-back Pedro Miguel. The full Al Sadd squad is as follows: Saad Al-Dosari, Meshaal Barsham, Youssef Al-Balushi, Karim Mohammed, Pedro Miguel, Roman Saiss, Ahmed Suhail, Paulo Otávio, Tariq Salman, Agustín Soria, Mohamed Camara, Rafa Mochica, Akram Afif, Hashim Ali, Giovanni Henrique, Claudinho, Roberto Firmino, Younis Al-Hannash, Ali Asad, Javiero Delroson, Khoukhi Boualem, Hassan Al-Haydos, Mohamed Al-Bakri and Abdullah Al-Yazidi. Getty Images Sport A personal chef is travelling with the Al Sadd delegation. According to Saudi daily Al-Riyadiah, Al-Sadd have brought a private Tunisian chef with their 55-strong delegation in Jeddah to ensure the squad sticks to its prescribed diet. The Qatari club has included a Tunisian chef in its 55-member delegation of players, coaches and administrators, to ensure strict compliance with the team’s diet plan. Mancini is leaving nothing to chance, hoping such meticulous attention to detail will deliver peak preparation, especially with Al-Hilal missing Mohammed Kanno, Malcom de Oliveira, Kalidou Koulibaly, Nasser Al-Dossari, Sultan Mandash and Youssef Akchichik. AFP The Italian Coach and the 1982 World Cup This incident recalls a memorable tale from football history: the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain. Italy arrived as outsiders, having previously won the trophy only twice (in 1934 and 1938), yet they added a third star by beating West Germany 3-1 in the final at the Santiago Bernabéu. Before a ball was kicked, however, the Azzurri faced an unexpected crisis: customs officials in Barcelona blocked the team’s attempt to import large quantities of pasta for their training camp, prompting concern among the coaching staff about the players’ dietary needs. Manager Enzo Bearzot acted quickly, calling on Italian Football Federation officials to intervene, and team chef Lorini was dispatched to source fresh supplies from local markets. The mission succeeded, and the players soon returned to their customary carb-rich meals—a boost that may have fueled their performances on the pitch. After a sluggish group stage—three draws against Poland, Peru and Cameroon—the Azzurri hit form when it mattered, knocking out Argentina and Brazil, then seeing off Poland in the semi-finals before downing West Germany in the final. Between humour and seriousness, the pasta saga has become one of the famous anecdotes associated with Italy’s triumph, proving that even the smallest details can make all the difference in football. ENJOYED THIS STORY? Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Al-Sadd's Coach and Italy's Epic Run: Mancini Draws Inspiration from History to Defeat Al-Hilal
