In a crucial press conference preceding Al-Ahli's match against Al-Hazm in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, German coach Matthias Jäissle revealed his vision for the next stage, commenting on several important issues that concern Al-Ahli fans, most notably the team's ambitions to compete for the title, the administration's stance on the winter transfer market, and the repercussions of the last match against Al-Hilal.
Background and context of Al Ahly's current season
Yassleh's comments come at a crucial point in the season, as Al-Ahli, recently promoted back to the top flight after a single season in the second division, seeks to establish itself among the elite and seriously compete for top positions. Following a historic summer transfer window that saw the acquisition of world-class stars, thanks to the backing of the Public Investment Fund, such as Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Franck Kessié, Édouard Mendy, and Allan Saint-Maximin, expectations have soared, and the team is now tasked with delivering results befitting the caliber of its squad.
Confidence in the current squad despite the quiet transfer window
Yassle emphasized his complete confidence in the current squad to achieve the club's goals, foremost among them competing for the league title. He said, "I have confidence in the players to win the league championship. Yesterday, after the match, we spoke with the players on the plane about our objectives." While acknowledging that every coach always aspires to strengthen his team, he stressed his complete satisfaction with the available players, adding, "Any coach in the world wants to bolster his team with new signings, but I have faith in the players we have at Al Ahli." This statement reflects the club's strategy of focusing on stability and building cohesion among the squad assembled during the summer, rather than making sweeping changes mid-season.
The implications of facing Al-Hilal and future ambitions
The German coach didn't neglect to mention the recent match against league leaders Al-Hilal, in which the team delivered a fighting performance that earned widespread praise despite the result. He pointed out that the spirit displayed by the players is the model he aims to replicate in all upcoming matches. He added, "I hope the team maintains the spirit it showed against Al-Hilal, and that's what we're currently working on.".
Regarding the red card shown to defender Ali Majrashi in that match, Yasleh expressed his regret over the incident and its impact on his plans for the Al-Hazm game, saying: “I had hoped that our match against Al-Hilal would end without Ali Majrashi being sent off, but that’s in the past now, and we must work to find a suitable replacement for him in the Al-Hazm match.” This challenge highlights the importance of squad depth and the coaching staff’s ability to cope with unexpected absences to maintain the team’s rhythm in the long league season.
