The aftermath of the Riyadh derby and the focus on the future
Amidst the fierce competition in Saudi football, which has captured global attention thanks to major signings and a massive sports project, Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus clarified his stance on the recent events surrounding the thrilling Riyadh derby. The veteran coach emphasized that mistakes are an inherent part of football, whether committed by defenders or attackers, stressing the need to move past them and not dwell on them. These statements were a clear reference to the events of the highly anticipated derby between Al-Nassr and their arch-rivals Al-Hilal, which ended in a draw, keeping the title race wide open in the final stages of the season.
Jesus added, in a firm tone reflecting his vast experience: “Our focus is now entirely on the next two matches. The players have worked hard and put in tremendous effort throughout the season, and we are now ready to seize the two remaining opportunities: tomorrow’s Asian Champions League match and the following league game.” He pointed out that words and statements don’t win championships; everything will be decided on the pitch, emphasizing that all the competing teams have players of the highest caliber and skill.
The highly anticipated Asian final against Gamba Osaka
On the continental level, which is of paramount importance to Saudi clubs that always strive to dominate the continent, Jesus addressed the significance of the historic clash against their Japanese counterparts, Gamba Osaka, in the AFC Champions League final. Saudi-Japanese encounters in Asian finals are considered classics, characterized by fierce competition and a long history of rivalry. The coach emphasized his team's strong ambition to win the continental title, saying, "We are fully prepared for all challenges and difficulties. We will face a tenacious team with high physical fitness and strict tactical discipline, but we have great faith in our abilities and are eagerly anticipating victory.".
At the press conference, Jesus highlighted a crucial point that increases the team's motivation, explaining: "Neither I nor any other Saudi team has achieved this title in its current version, and we hope to take advantage of this golden opportunity to make the vast Saudi public happy with this great national and continental achievement.".
Joao Felix: Title ambitions and fan support
For his part, Al-Nassr star João Félix revealed his team's complete readiness for the highly anticipated match against Japan's Gamba Osaka. The international star pointed out that the influx of big-name players to the Saudi league has placed a doubled responsibility on their shoulders to win championships. He emphasized that all the players are fully aware of the difficulty of the final match, but they are determined and resolute in their pursuit of victory and aiming to gift Al-Nassr fans two precious titles this season.
Felix said during the press conference: “We, as players, all know how difficult the match will be, and we are ready to face a hard-working team that fights hard in midfield. We have worked very hard since the beginning of the season to reach this crucial stage, and we hope to win the next two matches and dedicate the two trophies to our loyal fans.” He addressed the fans directly, saying: “We, as players, ask the fans for their support and encouragement, as they always have, and we hope for a large turnout tomorrow so that we can celebrate winning the title together.”.
Season assessment and the derby's shocking moment
When asked to evaluate his season in terms of individual statistics and goals compared to achieving team championships, Felix showed great maturity, saying: “Everyone evaluates the season by titles and podiums, but what we offer on the field is the fruit of integrated team work, and we hope to win the two matches and reap the rewards of this hard work.”.
Regarding the scene that swept the media, in which Joao appeared holding his head after the final whistle blew in the draw against Al-Hilal, the player clarified his true feelings, saying: “When the picture appeared of me holding my head, it wasn’t an expression of sadness, but rather a real shock for me, because we were preparing to celebrate clinching the league title that night. However, we still have a strong chance to win both titles, and we will fight until the end.”.
