Despite the bitterness of the defeat suffered by Al-Shabab's first football team against Al-Qadisiyah by a score of three goals to two, in the match that brought them together on Wednesday evening as part of the Saudi Professional League competitions, the team's technical director, Emmanuel Alguacil, surprised everyone with a clear tone of optimism during the press conference that followed the match.
The Spanish coach confirmed in his statement to the media that the loss, despite its severity and numerical impact on the standings, revealed bright aspects of the team's performance, specifically the strong reaction and high fighting spirit shown by the players during the second half, as the team tried to come back and reduce the deficit, which the coach considers a positive indicator that can be built upon in the upcoming matches.
Betting on the winter transfer window and the new management
Speaking about the team's future and efforts to get back on track, the Al-Shabab coach linked his optimism to the anticipated moves by the club's new management. He clearly indicated his strong reliance on the upcoming winter transfer window, expressing his confidence in the management's ability to bolster the squad with impactful players capable of making a difference and addressing the team's current weaknesses, which were glaringly apparent in the match against Al-Qadisiyah.
The absence crisis and the challenge of the international break
Al-Ghuwasil also addressed the technical challenges facing Al-Shabab, noting that the team has suffered and continues to suffer from a series of injuries and significant absences, a scenario that has recurred frequently recently and affected the stability of the starting lineup. He also expressed concern about the upcoming international break, as they await the return of international players who will be joining their national teams, believing this could pose an additional obstacle to preparing for upcoming matches.
The state of youth in the Roshan League... a warning bell
These statements come at a time when Al-Shabab, one of the four historical pillars of Saudi football, is going through exceptionally difficult circumstances. The team currently sits in 15th place in the Roshan League standings with only 8 points, a position unbecoming of the club's illustrious history and the aspirations of its vast fan base. The upcoming matches are of paramount importance for the team to escape the relegation zone, especially given the fierce competition in the Saudi League this season, which features a host of world-class players. This makes the task of turning things around a challenge that will require a significant improvement in both the technical and administrative aspects of the game.
The coach concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the changes he made during the match made a noticeable difference in performance, but were not enough to change the final result, stressing the need for teamwork to overcome this critical stage.
