Al-Fateh's Portuguese coach, José Gomes, expressed his confidence in his team's readiness for their upcoming match against Al-Qadisiyah in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This came during a press conference held on Thursday, where Gomes emphasized the importance and difficulty of the game, describing Al-Qadisiyah as a "strong opponent" with high technical capabilities.
The general context of the confrontation and its importance in the league
This match comes at a crucial stage of the league, with both teams striving to achieve their objectives. Al-Qadisiyah enters the game in fourth place with 43 points, making them strong contenders for the top spots that qualify them for Asian competitions. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh, currently in tenth place with 23 points, aims to improve their position in the standings, move away from the relegation zone, and secure a positive result that will give the team a morale boost to finish the season strongly.
The coach's statements and tactical vision
In his remarks, Gomez stated, “If you acknowledge the opponent’s strength, you can defeat them. We must recognize that Al-Qadisiyah is a strong team, and it’s essential that we close down the spaces in our defensive depth and counter them with the same tactics.” This statement reflects the coach’s tactical vision, which is based on complete respect for the opponent and a focus on defensive organization as the foundation for achieving victory, while simultaneously exploiting his team’s strengths.
The impact of Mourad Batna's absence
Gomez confirmed that the team is at full strength except for the absence of influential Moroccan player Mourad Batna. Batna's absence is a significant blow to the team, as he is considered one of their most valuable assets thanks to his individual skills and ability to both create and score goals. The coach added, "We are only missing Mourad Batna, but we should have more than one Mourad in the squad. The team has recovered its strength and had a sufficient rest period, and we are ready for the match.".
A call to the fans and an affirmation of the fighting spirit
Gomez concluded his remarks by addressing Al-Fateh fans, saying, "I hope the Al-Fateh supporters will come out and support us against Al-Qadisiyah." He also stressed that fighting spirit will be key to victory in this difficult match, adding, "We are facing one of the best teams in the league, and without spirit and fighting, the match will be extremely difficult." Al-Fateh is scheduled to visit Al-Qadisiyah next Saturday evening at 8:30 PM.
