German coach Matthias Jäissle, the technical director of Al-Ahli's first football team, issued a strong warning to a number of the team's key players, urging them to be extremely careful to avoid receiving colored cards in the upcoming match against Al-Shabab.
Warnings about accumulating yellow cards
In his address to the players, Yassle emphasized the importance of tactical and behavioral discipline on the field, specifically mentioning four players: Enzo, Franck Kessié, Matheus Martins, and Eid Al-Mawlid . This warning stems from the fear that any of them might receive a yellow card, which would result in their suspension for the team's next match due to accumulated bookings, potentially disrupting the coaching staff's plans at a crucial stage of the league season.
Date of the Al-Ahli vs. Al-Shabab classic
Al-Ahli will be a tough opponent for Al-Shabab next Friday at 6:55 PM at the SHG Arena in Riyadh. This match is part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. The German coach aims to utilize his full squad in the following match against Al-Najma, scheduled for Thursday, February 19th at 10:00 PM at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, as part of the 23rd round.
Technical preparations and the team's position in the league
On the technical front, Yassla intensified training sessions and tactical drills to prepare the team physically and strategically for the Riyadh match. The coaching staff is focusing on adopting the appropriate approach to penetrate Al-Shabab's defense and settling on a starting lineup capable of securing the three points. The Al-Ahli coach aims to continue the winning streak and compete strongly for the league title this season, capitalizing on the players' high morale.
The importance of the match in the standings race
This match is of paramount importance to Al-Ahli, currently third in the Roshan League standings with 47 points. The club has accumulated these points from 20 matches, winning 14, drawing 5, and losing only once. A victory against Al-Shabab would be a pivotal step towards solidifying their position in the top four and putting pressure on the league leaders, making it crucial to avoid suspensions to maintain squad stability in the upcoming rounds.
Matches between Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab are always among the most competitive and exciting in Saudi football, which places an additional burden on the players to remain calm and focused throughout the ninety minutes to avoid any refereeing decisions that could cost the team significant absences in the future.
