German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al-Ahli, announced a surprising tactical decision to exclude two of his key foreign players from the squad that will face Al-Shabab in a highly anticipated match. This encounter, part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League, will be held at Al-Shabab's stadium in Riyadh, promising a fiercely competitive and exciting clash between two of the Kingdom's top clubs.
According to sources close to the club, coach Yassıl has decided to exclude the solid Turkish defender Merih Demiral, as he has not yet reached the required technical and physical readiness to participate in a match of this magnitude. The exclusion also included Brazilian player Matheus Gonçalves, a decision made purely for technical reasons related to the coach's vision and tactics for the game. On the other hand, the team will see the return of right-back Ali Majrashi, who missed the previous match against Al-Hazm due to accumulated yellow cards, representing a significant boost to both the team's defense and attack.
General context and importance of the match
This match takes on special significance given the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention after attracting international stars. Al-Ahli, returning to the top flight this season, aims to solidify its place in the top four and compete for a spot in the AFC Champions League. The team currently occupies a high position in the standings, and every point at this stage of the season is crucial to achieving its goals. Meanwhile, Al-Shabab hopes to improve its league position and return to winning ways, especially since the match is being played at home in front of its fans.
Expected impact of absences
The absence of players of the caliber of Demiral and Gonçalves presents a real challenge for coach Jäßle. Demiral's absence, with his extensive European experience, could weaken Al-Ahli's defense, while Gonçalves' exclusion raises questions about the German coach's attacking options. This decision highlights the depth of Al-Ahli's squad and the ability of the substitutes to fill the gap and deliver the required performance in a tough match against a resilient opponent like Al-Shabab. This game will be a true test of Jäßle's ability to manage his team in the absence of key players and implement his tactical ideas to secure a valuable victory that will boost the team's league campaign.
