German coach Matthias Jäissle, the technical director of Al-Ahli Club, expressed his great happiness with the valuable victory that his team achieved over Al-Riyadh Club with a score of one goal to nil, in the match that brought the two teams together on the grounds of Al-Malaz Stadium, as part of the competitions of the twenty-fourth round of the Saudi Professional League.
In his remarks during the post-match press conference, Yassle emphasized that the competition in the Saudi League has become extremely complex, and that victories do not come easily. He said, “Every match in the league is decided by small details, and these details can prevent a team from achieving victory. I am very proud of my team today, especially the players who compensated for the absence of their teammates and delivered a valiant performance.”.
Yasle added, addressing the attacking performance: “It’s normal for strikers not to score in every match, as defenders focus their full attention on them for the entire ninety minutes, and this opens up spaces for the rest of the players. The most important thing is to achieve victory as a complete system.”.
The context of the fierce competition in the Roshan League
This crucial victory for Al-Ahli comes amidst an exceptional and historic season for the Saudi Professional League, which has captured global attention after attracting a constellation of the world's most prominent football stars. This momentum has raised the level of competition to unprecedented heights, with no easy matches anymore, and all teams, regardless of their position in the standings, now posing a genuine challenge to the established giants. Al-Ahli's hard-fought win against Al-Riyadh reflects this reality, as Al-Riyadh displayed a highly organized defense and nearly secured a valuable point.
The importance of the victory and its impact on Al Ahly's journey
This victory holds added significance for Al-Ahli, who have made a strong return to the Saudi Professional League this season after a brief stint in the First Division. The club, bolstered by high-profile signings such as Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Franck Kessié, aspire to compete for top positions and secure a place in next season's AFC Champions League. With this win, secured by an own goal from the Al-Riyadh goalkeeper, Al-Ahli have solidified their position in the top four of the league table, continuing to pressure the leading teams and confirming their status as a formidable contender for the title, or at least for a place in continental competitions. This represents a major success for the club's project in their first season back in the top flight.
