Al-Riyadh Club is experiencing one of its most difficult periods this season, as Uruguayan coach Daniel Carreño continues his string of disappointing results for both fans and management. This struggle was starkly illustrated by the team's eighth defeat under his leadership, a 1-0 loss to Neom FC. The team remains winless since Carreño took over, raising serious questions about the future of the coaching staff.
Looking at the numbers, which don't lie, Al-Riyadh, under the leadership of Carreno, has played 12 official matches so far, with zero wins. The team has only managed four draws, while suffering eight defeats. This record reflects the significant technical gap the team is experiencing in domestic competitions, and the experienced coach's inability to find the right formula to lift the team out of its slump.
The defeats weren't mere stumbles; they came against both direct and indirect rivals. The list of losses included defeats against Al-Ittihad (2-1), Al-Ettifaq (2-0), Al-Hazm (2-1), Al-Qadisiyah (4-0), Al-Fateh (3-1), Al-Taawoun (3-1), Al-Nassr (1-0), and finally, Neom. Conversely, the only points earned came from draws against Al-Fayha (1-1), Al-Akhdoud (2-2), Al-Hilal (1-1), and Al-Najma (1-1).
Statistics reveal a clear structural flaw in the team's system, both defensively and offensively. During this period, Al-Riyadh players scored only 9 goals in 12 matches, a very poor scoring rate insufficient to secure victories. Conversely, the team conceded 23 goals, exposing a fragile defense that made it easy for opponents to reach the goal and rendered the team vulnerable in most matches.
This technical turmoil comes amidst the club's management's attempts to get back on track. It's worth noting that the management dismissed Spanish coach Javier Calleja after the eighth round of the current season, hoping that Daniel Carreño's extensive experience in Saudi football would salvage the situation. Carreño took over starting with the ninth round against Al-Ittihad, but things didn't go as planned for the "Central School" (a nickname for the club). The crisis worsened instead of being resolved, placing the management under immense pressure to make decisive decisions to stop the continued loss of points.
