German coach Matthias Jäissle , manager of Al-Ahli, emphasized the difficulty of the upcoming match against Al-Najma in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. During the pre-match press conference, Jäissle stressed that several factors make this game a real challenge for his team as they strive to maintain pressure on the league leaders.
Yasle explained that the pressure of the matches is the first obstacle, saying: “The match will take place only two days after our previous one, and this puts a heavy burden on the players. Our priority now is to find the ideal balance between physical recovery and tactical preparation to ensure the team is fully ready. At this stage of the season, managing the players’ physical condition becomes crucial to achieving the desired results.”.
General context and impact of the "competitor's awakening"
The German coach indicated that Al-Najma's victory in their last match, which coincided with a change in their coaching staff, would give them a huge morale boost. He added: “Of course, Al-Najma's victory in their last match will give them a significant morale boost, especially after the change in the coaching staff. This phenomenon is well-known in the world of football, where players always strive to give their best for the new coach, making them a formidable opponent.”.
The importance of the match in the context of the league competition
This match comes at a crucial juncture in the Roshan League, which has witnessed a qualitative leap this season in terms of competitiveness and global media attention thanks to the influx of top football stars. For Al-Ahli, newly promoted to the Pro League and one of the major clubs backed by the Public Investment Fund, every point is doubly important. The team, boasting world-class players such as Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Franck Kessié, aims to secure a spot in next season's AFC Champions League and continue their pursuit of Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr for the top spot in the standings.
Despite the aforementioned challenges, Yassle expressed his optimism about his team's ability to achieve a positive result, emphasizing Al Ahli's clear objective for the match. He concluded his remarks by saying, "We respect our opponent's ambition and high morale, but our focus is entirely on ourselves. Our goal is clear: to secure the three points and continue our journey towards achieving our objectives this season. We are confident in our players' abilities to deliver the required performance and achieve a result that will please our fans.".
