The thirteenth round of the Saudi Professional League witnessed a high-stakes match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli, which ended with a result that sparked widespread controversy in sporting circles. In this context, Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, made important statements during the post-match press conference, explaining the technical and tactical reasons that led to this disappointing result for the club's fans.
Analysis of the first half and the late comeback
Jesus began by acknowledging the team's unconvincing first-half performance, noting that the shaky start and conceding two early goals had a negative psychological impact on the players. The Portuguese coach explained that the team suffered from a lack of focus in crucial moments, allowing the opponent to impose their control. Although the team managed to equalize later, individual and collective errors in defensive positioning prevented them from securing a positive result. He emphasized that the team deserved a better outcome based on their performance at other points in the match.
Crucial technical decisions and clarification regarding substitutions
Regarding the substitutions that sparked questions from fans and analysts, particularly the removal of Saad Al-Nasser and Sultan Al-Ghannam, Jesus settled the debate, confirming that these changes were based purely on "technical decisions" and not due to injuries. The coach pointed to the significant physical challenge the players face as a result of the congested fixture schedule, with the team playing a demanding match every three days. This necessitates rotating players and managing their physical exertion to avoid fatigue and muscle injuries that could affect the team's performance during the crucial stages of the season.
Defensive problems and the challenges of competing for the title
Jesus highlighted the team's defensive woes this season, explaining that despite their attacking prowess and scoring ability, their tendency to concede goals is a major obstacle to the club's ambitions. He added that the second half saw a marked improvement and greater control of the game, but this wasn't enough to compensate for the defensive lapses.
The context of the competition in the Saudi Roshan League
This match comes at a time when Saudi football is experiencing an unprecedented qualitative and competitive leap, thanks to significant support and the attraction of a host of world-class stars. Jesus concluded by emphasizing that the competition for the league title this season will be fierce, noting that at least three teams possess the technical and physical attributes to remain in contention until the final rounds. The "Clásico" matches between the major clubs (Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad) are considered the true benchmark for measuring a team's readiness and its ability to withstand intense fan and media pressure.
