As part of the intensive preparations for the resumption of the Saudi Professional League, German coach Matthias Jäissle, the technical director of Al-Ahli's first football team, made a decisive technical decision regarding the right-back position, in order to compensate for the significant absences the team is suffering from before the anticipated match against Al-Akhdoud Club.
Yassla prepares the substitute in Al-Raed's training sessions
Al-Ahli's evening training session on Tuesday saw the coaching staff focus heavily on preparing young player Mohammed Bakr to be a starting option in the team's lineup. This move comes as a replacement for first-choice right-back Ali Majrashi, who is suspended for the upcoming match due to disciplinary reasons stemming from the events of the recent derby against Al-Nassr. The team also faces a shortage of players in this position due to Mohammed Abdulrahman's participation with the Saudi national team in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, forcing the German coach to find immediate solutions from the bench.
The importance of the match and the two teams' positions in the standings
This match is of paramount importance to both sides, as Al-Ahli travels to face Al-Akhdoud on Saturday evening in the 14th round of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Ahli enters the match in fourth place with 25 points, and coach Yassir and his team will be looking to maintain pressure on the league leaders and secure a spot in Asian competitions, especially given the fierce competition in the league this season following the influx of world-class players.
On the other hand, Al-Akhdoud is in a difficult situation, currently sitting in 17th place (second to last) with only 5 points. This match is a lifeline for the home side, who hope to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to achieve a positive result that could be a turning point in their fight to avoid early relegation.
Competition context of the Roshan League
This encounter comes at a time when the Saudi league is witnessing unprecedented qualitative development, where there are no easy matches, and lower-ranked teams often pose real obstacles for the top clubs. Yassla is well aware that dropping points against struggling teams could prove costly in the title race, leading him to approach the match with tactical caution and an attacking intent to secure an early victory, relying on substitute players eager to prove their worth in the Al-Ahli jersey.
