Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, manager of Al-Nassr's first football team, expressed his dissatisfaction with the result of his team's match against Al-Qadisiyah, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League. The coach's statements highlighted the technical and tactical reasons that led to this unexpected setback in the team's pursuit of the title.
Individual errors, not a sign of the competitor's superiority
In the post-match press conference, Jesus emphasized that the loss was not due to Al-Qadsia's complete dominance or overwhelming technical superiority, but rather directly attributing it to fatal errors by his players. The Portuguese coach stated clearly: "We didn't lose because our opponents were far superior, but because we gifted Al-Qadsia a free pass. In short, the story of the match is that we defeated ourselves with individual mistakes that cost us the final result.".
The context of the competition and the strength of the Roshan League
This loss comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is undergoing tremendous development, with matches no longer being predetermined in favor of the big clubs. Al-Qadisiyah, making a strong comeback and bolstered by quality signings and administrative stability, is a prime example of the rising level of competition in the league, making any complacency or individual error by rival teams, such as Al-Nassr, liable to immediate punishment on the pitch.
Priority is given to mental balance
The Al-Nassr coach indicated that the upcoming phase requires intensive work not only on the technical side, but also on the psychological and mental state of the players. He explained that the team desperately needs to regain its balance and focus to return to winning ways, adding: "We must strive to create mental equilibrium for the team and prepare better for the next match, as the psychological aspect plays a crucial role in overcoming such setbacks.".
The battle for the top spot with Al-Hilal
Regarding the fierce competition for the league title, Jesus downplayed the impact of the current points difference on the championship race, pointing to the unpredictable nature of football. He said, "A short while ago, the gap between us and Al-Hilal was four points, and now the situation has reversed, but in reality, nothing fundamental has changed in the nature of this long-term competition." This statement reflects an understanding of the Saudi league's demanding nature, requiring stamina and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Wesley's future and the foreign player file
Regarding the players, the manager praised the performance of young Wesley Teixeira, describing him as a promising talent attracting interest from European clubs, and emphasizing that he provided a crucial tactical solution in the absence of Sadio Mane. He concluded by addressing the difficulty of making changes to the foreign player roster at present, saying, "Changing the foreign players is extremely difficult. We have a full squad of ten players, and there are no open spots unless we release one of them." This presents the coaching staff with the challenge of getting the best out of the current group.
