Emmanuel Al-Gawasil, the head coach of Al-Shabab's first football team, emphasized the difficulty of the upcoming match against Al-Najma, scheduled for Wednesday as part of the 17th round of the Saudi Professional League. The coach's remarks came during the pre-match press conference, where he highlighted the physical and technical challenges facing his team at this crucial stage of the season.
Recovery challenge and match pressure
Al-Ghawasil began by pointing out the limited time available to prepare for this match, explaining that the team had only two days to recover after the intense and exhausting encounter against Al-Nassr. The coach said, “We played a very high-intensity match just 48 hours ago, and I will have to wait until the final training session to fully assess the players’ physical readiness. I hope to be able to select the most suitable lineup that will allow us to compete strongly.” This statement clearly indicates the physical strain clubs are experiencing due to the congested schedule of matches in the Saudi League, which has become highly competitive and demands peak physical condition.
Performance evaluation and disappointing results
In assessing the team's performance this season, Al-Ghawil bravely admitted that the results achieved so far fall short of the club's and its large fan base's ambitions. He added, "I always strive for the best performance and footballing perfection, but the reality is that our results this season are unsatisfactory." The coach then explained that there were compelling circumstances that affected the team, specifically mentioning matches where players were sent off. He believes the team performs well except in those instances that disrupt the numerical and tactical balance.
The opponent's strength and the competitor's respect
Regarding their upcoming opponent, the Al-Shabab coach expressed great respect for Al-Najma, describing them as a tough and tenacious team. He explained that Al-Najma has proven its ability to compete with opponents and play on equal terms in various matches, citing their record of not suffering heavy defeats, with the exception of their match against league leaders Al-Hilal. He emphasized that these factors compel Al-Shabab to deliver an exceptional performance to achieve a positive result.
The importance of the match in the context of the league
This match is of paramount importance to Al-Shabab, who are striving to improve their position in the league standings, especially given the significant development of the Saudi Professional League and its attraction of some of the world's brightest stars. This has intensified the competition not only for the title but also for mid-table positions. Al-Ghawasil understands that theoretical discussions are insufficient, concluding his remarks by emphasizing that "every coach's primary objective is to win every match, regardless of the opponent." He stressed that the reality on the field can differ from expectations, necessitating caution and focus throughout the ninety minutes.
