German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al-Ahli's first football team, has intensified the team's psychological and technical preparations for the highly anticipated match against Al-Ittihad, a highlight of the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League. The King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, nicknamed "The Shining Jewel," will host this major clash on Friday evening, amidst widespread anticipation from the Saudi and Arab sports communities.
The importance of the Jeddah derby and the points calculations
In the pre-match press conference, Jääsle emphasized that the derby against Al-Ittihad is not just about three points in the league race, but a pivotal turning point in the team's season. The German coach stressed that derby matches always have a special character and a different kind of intensity compared to other games, given the intense historical rivalry between the two Jeddah giants, which directly impacts the players' performance on the pitch and the passionate fan turnout.
The Jeddah derby, historically known as the "Red Sea Derby," holds immense importance not only locally but also regionally, as it is considered one of the oldest derbies in the Arab world. This match comes at a crucial juncture in the league, with each team striving to improve their position in the standings and secure a spot in continental competitions, thus intensifying the pressure and responsibility placed on the coaching staff and players.
Warnings of the Union's offensive shifts
Regarding the technical aspects, Yassleh explained that Al-Ahli's coaching staff had thoroughly studied their opponent, noting that Al-Ittihad possesses outstanding players and poses a significant threat, particularly in their rapid attacking transitions. The coach affirmed that he has the appropriate tactical plan to counter Al-Ittihad's strengths and neutralize their attacking threat throughout the match.
In a related development, Al Ahli's coach revealed that he will hold intensive meetings with the players to emphasize the need to avoid individual errors, especially those occurring near the goal. He stressed that such high-stakes matches are often decided by small details, and that a single mistake could cost the team the game. He urged his players to fully adhere to tactical instructions, maintain defensive balance, and demonstrate discipline throughout the 90 minutes.
The Zakaria Hawsawi file and the fans' passion
Regarding the news circulating about the renewal of player Zakaria Hawsawi’s contract, Yassla preferred to distance himself from administrative matters, explaining that this file falls within the jurisdiction of the club’s management, and that any official decisions will be announced through Al-Ahli’s official channels at the appropriate time, preferring to focus his full attention on preparing for the match.
Yassleh concluded his remarks by noting his full awareness of the passion and anticipation surrounding this encounter among Al-Ahli's vast fan base, stressing that the team will do its utmost to perform in a manner befitting the club's name and achieve a positive result that will delight the fans in the stands of the Radiant Jewel, emphasizing the importance of high mental readiness to win this type of match.
