In an atmosphere of excitement preceding the major matches in the Saudi Professional League, Portuguese coach Jose Gomes, manager of Al-Fateh Club, made important statements during the press conference preceding his team’s anticipated match against Al-Ittihad Club, as part of the nineteenth round of the competition, which will be held at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa.
Background of the confrontation and its importance in the context of the league
This match comes at a crucial stage in the league, which has gained significant global momentum in recent seasons. Al-Ittihad, one of the giants of Saudi football and the reigning champions, aims to maintain pressure on the leading teams and compete strongly for the title once again. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh, known as "The Model" and having previously achieved a historic feat by winning the league in the 2012-2013 season, aspires to improve its position in the standings and prove its ability to challenge the top teams, making the three points in this match of strategic importance to both sides.
Respecting the opponent and having confidence in one's abilities
Gomez began his remarks with a tone of great respect for the opponent, saying, “ Al-Ittihad is a well-organized team, characterized by the speed of its players. They are a great team with a capable coach .” This statement reflects Gomez’s thorough analysis of the opponent’s strengths and his tactical preparation for facing a team with diverse individual and collective attacking options. However, this respect did not diminish his confidence in his team’s ability to deliver a strong performance.
The mental challenge and focus in front of adults
The Portuguese coach addressed a crucial point concerning his players' mental state, a common phenomenon in football, saying, " Some players become somewhat relaxed when facing mid-table or lower-ranked teams, while their focus is always present when playing against top teams ." He added, emphasizing his efforts to address this issue, " We are working to ensure everyone is at the highest level of concentration and mental focus in every match ." This statement highlights the coaching staff's commitment to instilling a winning mentality and a consistent winning mentality within the team, regardless of the opponent.
Restoring the spirit after a setback and relying on the fans
In his assessment of the recent match, which saw the team lose after a run of five consecutive victories, Gomez explained: “ Despite the loss, we didn’t play badly in the last match, but we lacked that fighting spirit after five straight wins, and that’s what we need to have .” He followed this with a direct message to the club’s fans, emphasizing their pivotal role in the upcoming phase: “ Words can’t express how much they mean to us, and we need them and their support in the next stage .”
In conclusion, Al-Fateh, led by Gomez, is looking to take advantage of the home ground and crowd factors to deliver a great performance worthy of its reputation, and achieve a positive result that will put the team back on the path to victories and contribute to improving its position in the Roshan Professional League standings.
