In a notable tactical move, German coach Matthias Jäissle , manager of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli club, decided to exclude several of his foreign players from the final squad for the highly anticipated derby match against Al-Shabab. This decision comes as both teams prepare for the match, which will be held at Al-Shabab's stadium in Riyadh, as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League .
At the top of the list of those excluded was Turkish international defender Merih Demiral , along with other players, for purely technical reasons related to tournament regulations that limit each team to eight foreign players per match. This decision highlights the considerable depth of Al Ahly's squad this season and the challenge the coach faces in selecting the ideal lineup for each game.
General context and importance of the match
This match is of paramount importance to both teams. Al-Ahli, returning to the Pro League this season, is striving to secure a top-four finish and compete for a spot in next season's AFC Champions League. Currently third in the standings, the team hopes to close the gap with the league leaders, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Any slip-up at this stage could prove costly in the fiercely competitive title race.
On the other hand, Al-Shabab is looking to improve its position in the league table and return to winning ways after a period of inconsistent results. Historically, matches between Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab are always fiercely contested and exciting, as they bring together two of the most prestigious clubs in Saudi Arabia.
The impact of the decision and the technical challenges
Leaving out a player of Merih Demiral's caliber, with his extensive European experience from playing for Juventus and Atalanta in Italy, is a bold decision by coach Jacele. This reflects the coach's confidence in his other defensive options and places additional pressure on the players who will fill his position to perform at their best. Managing a team packed with world-class stars like Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Franck Kessié, and Édouard Mendy requires tough decisions to maintain tactical balance and implement specific strategies for each match, as Jacele demonstrates in this crucial encounter.
The fans of “Al-Raed” expect the team to succeed in achieving victory and continuing the journey of chasing the leading teams, stressing that their ambition this season is not limited to an advanced position, but rather to compete strongly for all possible titles, which makes every match like a final that cannot be divided between two.
