German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al-Ahli's first football team, confirmed the team's complete readiness for their upcoming match against Al-Fayha, scheduled for Tuesday as part of the twelfth round of the Saudi Professional League. The young coach emphasized that the primary objective in this match is to appease the fans and secure the three points to compensate for their recent setback.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Yasleh explained that the coaching staff had worked over the past few days to address the mistakes that appeared in the previous round, saying: "Our full focus against Al-Fayha will be on converting the opportunities we create into goals, and working hard to get back on the winning track after the painful loss in the last round.".
Analysis of the reasons for the loss against Al-Fateh
Yassle recalled the previous match against Al-Fateh, pointing out that the scoreline did not reflect the true course of the game. He said, "Our numbers and statistics against Al-Fateh confirm that we were the better team and deserved the points. We dominated and created numerous chances, but our main problem lay in the final touch and the lack of attacking efficiency in front of goal." The coach denied that absences were the team's excuse for the defeat.
The German coach explained the scenario of the goals that went into his team's net, stating: "In the first half, we performed perfectly and were close to scoring, but we conceded a goal due to a positioning error from a throw-in. The scenario was repeated in the second half with conceding an early goal due to a defensive error, which made it more difficult to come back in the result.".
The philosophy of collective management and the rejection of individual blame
Regarding the psychological handling of players and directing criticism, Ysele emphasized his policy of protecting players, saying: "I don't address my words to a specific player or single out an individual for blame, but rather I communicate with the group as a whole. Responsibility in football is collective, whether in winning or losing, and I don't blame just one player for the result.".
The context of the competition and the importance of the match
This match is of paramount importance to Al-Ahli in their pursuit of a top spot in the Saudi Professional League. Following their strong return to the top flight and the club's high-profile international signings, the expectations of Al-Ahli fans have soared, demanding nothing less than a title challenge or at least a guaranteed Asian Champions League spot.
The match against Al-Fayha will be a true test of Yassla's ability to quickly get back on track, especially since Al-Fayha is known as a tenacious team characterized by its organized defense and ability to close down spaces for top teams. Therefore, winning this match is not just about securing three points; it would be a reassuring message to Al-Ahli fans that the team is capable of overcoming setbacks and maintaining an upward trajectory that guarantees its place among the top four amidst the fierce competition in the league this season.
