German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of the first football team at Al-Ahli Saudi Club, confirmed his team’s complete readiness to play the anticipated match against their Iraqi counterpart, Al-Shorta, stressing that the absences the team is suffering from will not be an obstacle in the way of “Al-Raqi’s” Asian ambitions.
During the press conference held today, Sunday, to discuss the match, Ysele explained his training philosophy that he instills in the minds of the players, saying: "We enter all matches with one consistent mentality, whether the match is played on our home ground and among our fans or away from home. This is the identity of the team that we are working to build and maintain.".
Absences present an opportunity for new stars to emerge
In response to questions regarding the impact of the absence of some key players from the squad, the German coach dealt with the situation very positively, considering it a motivating challenge for the coaching staff and substitute players. He added: "The absence of some players is undoubtedly a challenge, but it is not an obstacle to our ambitions. Teamwork is the foundation of our system, and we always strive to deliver a strong performance and achieve positive results regardless of who is available.".
Yasle indicated his great confidence in the substitutes' bench, expressing his enthusiasm to see the performance of the players who have not participated continuously in the past period, especially after they showed outstanding levels and high commitment during the recent training sessions, stressing that the technical staff is ready to find the appropriate tactical solutions for different circumstances.
Al Ahly and their ambition to compete continentally
These statements come at a time when Al-Ahli is striving to reaffirm its continental dominance in the AFC Champions League, a tournament that, in its latest edition, is witnessing fierce competition among the continent's elite. Al-Ahli, along with other Saudi clubs, bears the responsibility of representing the Kingdom in this prestigious international competition, as Saudi football experiences an unprecedented boom fueled by the recruitment of some of the world's top players.
Tomorrow’s match is of particular importance in the calculations for qualification and the top spot in the group. Al-Ahly currently occupies fourth place in the West Group standings with 10 points, a tally that puts them in a safe zone for qualification to the Round of 16. However, their ambition goes beyond simply qualifying to competing for the top spots to ensure a better draw in the knockout stages.
Addressing technical differences
On the other hand, the Iraqi Police team enters the match in an unenviable position, sitting in eleventh place with only one point. Despite the clear technical and points advantages of the Saudi team, AFC Champions League matches are always characterized by competitiveness and surprises, especially when played away from home. This necessitates that Yassla's squad be cautious and play with utmost seriousness to ensure they return with all three points.
Al-Ahli is scheduled to meet its host, Al-Shorta, on Monday evening, as part of the sixth round of the group stage, in a match that fans of "Al-Raqui" are waiting for to check on the team's progress and continue the strong performances in the most important continental tournament.
