German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al-Ahli's first football team, expressed his satisfaction after achieving a difficult and important victory against Al-Fayha, in the match that brought the two teams together as part of the twelfth round of the Saudi Professional League, which was held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) in Jeddah.
In the press conference that followed the match, Yaisle gave a realistic analysis of the course of the match, saying: “The Al-Fayha match was difficult and complicated, just as I expected before it started. The opponent played a very good match and was a strong competitor, but the most important thing is that we succeeded in deciding the result in our favor and collecting the three points that are vital in our journey in the league.”.
Challenges of the upcoming El Clásico
The conversation quickly turned to the highly anticipated clash, as Al-Ahli prepares to host its traditional rival, Al-Nassr, in the Saudi Arabian football "Clásico." In this context, Yassla did not hide his concern about the team's readiness, explaining, "Our options will be limited for the upcoming match against Al-Nassr." This statement comes at a time when the team is grappling with a congested fixture schedule and the physical challenges faced by major clubs competing on multiple fronts.
The German coach added, emphasizing his strategy for dealing with this shortage: “The team and coaching staff will work to prepare the available players in the best possible way to ensure their effective participation in the match.” The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Nasr match is of paramount importance not only locally but also regionally, given the rich history shared by the two clubs and the presence of international stars in their ranks, making it a highly anticipated event for football fans across the region.
The fans... the 12th player
In a direct message to Al-Ahli fans, Yassleh emphasized the pivotal role the supporters will play in the upcoming derby, stating, "The fans will decide the outcome of the match." Al-Ahli always relies on its vast fan base, which fills the stands of King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Jewel). Al-Ahli fans are known for their powerful influence and ability to change the course of a game through their unwavering support, and Yassleh is counting on this to compensate for any technical or physical deficiencies the team might face.
Purely technical decisions
Yassleh concluded his remarks by clarifying some of the technical decisions he made during the Al-Fayha match, specifically the substitution of player Gonçalves, saying: “Gonçalves’ departure from the match was due to my desire to give the striker Saleh Al-Shehri a chance. In the world of coaching, if the opposite had happened, I would have been questioned about the reason for Saleh’s departure, but I emphasize that all these matters are purely technical decisions aimed at the team’s best interests and revitalizing the attacking side.”.
