Al-Ghawashil: The Al-Nasr match will be a tough test, and rest gives them the advantage
Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil, manager of Al Shabab, emphasized the difficulty of the upcoming match against Al Nassr, describing it as a true test of his team's capabilities at this stage of the season. This came during a press conference held by the coach to discuss Al Shabab's preparations for the highly anticipated Riyadh derby, which is followed by a large audience due to the historic rivalry between the two teams in the Saudi Professional League.
Physical challenges and comfort gap
Al-Ghawasil pointed to a crucial factor that could play a decisive role in the course of the match: the players' physical condition and recovery. The coach explained that Al-Nasr enters the game with a slight advantage, having had two extra days of rest compared to Al-Shabab, a significant factor in modern football, especially given the tight schedule and intense competition. Al-Ghawasil said, "The match represents a tough test, and the extra rest for our opponents will certainly impact their recovery. However, today we are assessing the readiness of all our players and evaluating their physical condition to face this challenging task.".
Behind the scenes of the summer transfer window
In a related development, the Al-Shabab coach addressed the issue of foreign player signings, which had sparked considerable controversy in the sports community. He transparently revealed that the deals the club made during the summer transfer window were finalized with his technical approval after careful scrutiny. However, he clarified that these were not his preferred choices. He attributed this to the difficult circumstances the club faced during the summer and the delayed arrival of the players, while simultaneously expressing his complete confidence in the current squad and their ability to make the desired impact.
Red card crisis and tactical discipline
Al-Ghawasil addressed a worrying phenomenon that has plagued the team this season: the high number of red cards, reaching 10, a figure he described as "strange" and unusual. The coach emphasized the importance of tactical and mental discipline against a team of Al-Nasr's caliber, noting that he had warned the players about the necessity of finishing the match with 11 players to avoid the difficult scenarios that have occurred previously, especially those that happen in the early stages and can turn the tide of matches.
Reliance on young talent and impactful injuries
Al-Ghawasil concluded by emphasizing the club's strategy of relying on young Saudi talent, noting that Al-Shabab is one of the clubs that most actively promotes players from the youth ranks. He explained that Nawaf Al-Ghulaimish is currently playing with the Olympic team, and also mentioned the club's signing of right-back Mohammed Al-Thani to strengthen the squad. Regarding absences, the coach announced the unfortunate news that Mubarak Al-Rajih will be out for the rest of the season due to a hairline fracture in his spine, requiring a lengthy period of treatment and rehabilitation.
