Al-Ahli Saudi Club received an important moral and technical boost before its anticipated match at the end of the group stage of the AFC Champions League, as the team’s German coach, Matthias Jäsle, decided to reinstate player Mohammed Bakr to the official squad that will face Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE.
This decision comes after the player's absence from the team's recent matches due to personal circumstances, namely the death of his father. This had previously led coach Yasle to opt against including him in the last youth match due to his lack of full mental and physical readiness. Now, with his return to training and regained focus, Bakr is available as a potential option to bolster the team's ranks in this crucial continental encounter.
General context and importance of the championship
The AFC Champions League is the newly established and most prestigious edition of the Asian club championships, bringing together the best clubs to elevate the level of competition. Participation in this tournament is of paramount importance to Saudi clubs like Al-Ahli, not only on the continental level but also to solidify their position as a regional football powerhouse. The group stage is crucial in determining the path to the knockout rounds, as each team strives to accumulate as many points as possible to secure a comfortable qualification and avoid challenging matches in the later stages.
The impact of the player's return on the team
The return of Mohamed Bakr is a significant boost to coach Yassla's squad, providing him with additional options in defense and granting the team greater tactical flexibility. His return is expected to raise the morale of his teammates, especially as the team faces a crucial match where a draw is not an option, and they will be looking to secure their place in the next round. Al Ahli currently sits second in their group with 14 points, five points behind leaders Al Hilal, while Shabab Al Ahli Dubai is in sixth place with 11 points, making this match vital for both sides in their quest to qualify.
Al-Ahli is scheduled to host its Emirati counterpart on Monday evening on its home ground and in front of its fans, in a match through which “Al-Raqui” looks forward to achieving victory to end the group stage in the best possible way and prepare strongly for the knockout stages of the most prestigious continental tournament.
