Yassla is dissatisfied with Al-Ahli and Al-Wahda's draw in the Asian Champions League
Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli and their Emirati hosts Al-Wahda ended in a goalless draw on Monday evening at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, as part of the AFC Champions League for the 2025-2026 season. The final whistle revealed a clear contrast in reactions from the two coaches.
Yasle: Defensive discipline is not enough
German Matthias Jäissle , expressed his complete dissatisfaction with the result and his team's attacking performance, despite the club having already secured qualification for the Round of 16 of the continental tournament. In the post-match press conference, Jäissle emphasized that his team entered the game with the clear intention of securing the three points and achieving their fifth victory in the group.
"Our approach to the match was clear," Yasle said, his tone laced with tactical reproach. "We wanted to win and be disciplined defensively. Yes, we succeeded defensively and kept a clean sheet, but we failed to capitalize on the scoring opportunities we had." The young coach added, "This type of competitive match doesn't offer many chances, so we had to be sharper and more clinical in the final third. I'm not happy with the team's performance in this match, even though we came close to scoring in the final minutes.".
Milanic: A valuable point against a strong opponent
In contrast, Darko Milanic , the coach of Al Wahda of the UAE, expressed a completely different sentiment, stating his satisfaction with securing a point against a star-studded team like Al Ahli. Milanic considered the result fair and beneficial to his team's efforts to remain among the top four in the West Zone standings.
Milanic stated, "We played a good tactical game against a strong opponent with a number of outstanding players. We controlled the game for long periods, created dangerous attacks, and came close to scoring, but luck wasn't on our side." He concluded by emphasizing his players' fighting spirit and his satisfaction with their performance, noting that this will be a motivating factor for their continued progress in the tournament.
The context of the competition and the importance of the point
This match comes as part of the new and updated format of the Asian Champions League, which is witnessing fierce competition among West Asian clubs. Al-Ahli Saudi is considered one of the top contenders for the title, given its rich history and the world-class players it boasts. Despite the draw, Al-Ahli's unbeaten record reinforces its status as a formidable force in the continent, while Al-Wahda of the UAE deserves credit for its resilience and ability to keep pace with the high tempo of the match.
Statistics indicate a close contest, with Al Wahda registering 10 shots compared to Al Ahli's 11, reflecting the intense rivalry that characterized this Gulf derby, which was marked more by tactical caution than a high-scoring affair. The sporting community eagerly awaits the upcoming rounds to determine the final group standings and the paths to the knockout stages.
