Al-Taawoun FC officially announced the reason behind the absence of their prominent Brazilian defender, Andre Gerotto, from the squad participating in today's anticipated match against Al-Shabab FC, which comes as part of the fourteenth round of the Saudi Professional League.
The club issued a statement through its official platforms, confirming that the player's exclusion was based on a joint recommendation from the technical and medical staff, after the player experienced some pain in his lower back. The coaching staff, led by the manager, preferred to rest the player and not risk him in this important match, to ensure his full recovery and readiness for upcoming matches given the intense competition in the league.
The 33-year-old Girotto is one of the mainstays of Al-Taawoun’s lineup this season, as statistics indicate his participation in 13 matches wearing the Al-Taawoun jersey during the current season, achieving 1138 minutes of play, which reflects the great reliance on him in leading the team’s back line.
This match is of paramount importance to both teams in the context of this season's league competition. Al-Taawoun enters the game in third place with 28 points, aiming to maintain pressure on the league leaders. They are only three points behind second-placed Al-Nassr and seven points behind league leaders Al-Hilal. Al-Taawoun seeks to solidify their position in the top four and secure an Asian Champions League spot, capitalizing on the club's current technical and administrative stability.
On the other hand, the match presents a completely different challenge for Al Shabab, who are suffering an unprecedented slump in form that has left them in 15th place with only 8 points before this game. This encounter is a crucial turning point for the Lions as they try to escape the relegation zone, making the absence of a solid defender like Girotto from the opposing team an opportunity that Al Shabab's attack will try to exploit.
The Saudi Professional League is witnessing extremely high competition this season due to the significant international signings made by the clubs, making even the smallest details and the physical readiness of the professional players crucial factors in determining the outcome. Al-Taawoun fans hope that the absence of their veteran Brazilian defender will not affect the cohesion of the team's defense, which is enjoying one of its best seasons in recent years.
