In a thrilling night of football that captivated fans and ignited the stands of the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Al-Ahli managed to hold league leaders Al-Hilal to a goalless draw in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. This result was more than just a point for either team; it was a tactical battle that showcased the improved defensive structure of Al-Ahli.
The excitement of the "Clásico" spilled over from the pitch into the press conference room, where Al Ahli's German coach, Matthias Jäissle, expressed his complete satisfaction with his players' discipline. Jäissle said, "It was an extremely difficult match, as we expected. We played 90 minutes with high mental focus. In such big matches, it's always the small details that make the difference.".
This draw takes on particular significance given the overall context of the current season, where Al-Hilal has been delivering devastating attacking performances both domestically and in Asia, making a clean sheet against them a remarkable achievement for Al-Ahli's coaching staff. Regarding this, Yassleh said, "I am very proud of the team's defensive performance today. We didn't concede any goals, which is fantastic against a team with such a strong attacking arsenal as Al-Hilal. I don't recall the opponent having any particularly dangerous chances or shots on target, thanks to our tactical discipline. On the other hand, we had a golden opportunity through Roger Ibanez, and had it been converted, we would have secured all three points.".
In the context of the technical analysis, Yassle faced direct questions about his approach to limiting the threat posed by Al-Hilal's strong wingers, rejecting the characterization of his method as purely defensive. The young coach explained that organization does not equate to passivity, but rather to a structural framework aimed at denying the opponent space, adding, "We were a disciplined, cohesive unit." When asked about abandoning his usual high-pressing style, he affirmed that he is a pragmatic coach who adapts to the circumstances of each match and the current situation, setting aside memories of past results.
The moment that stole the spotlight and sparked controversy in the media and on social media came when the discussion turned to the winter transfer window and the team's urgent need to strengthen its midfield. At this point, Yassle responded sarcastically to journalists, asking, "Do you have the money to support us?" He then continued, sending a veiled message to the management and the fans: "As a coach, I deal with the resources and players available to me on the field. Financial matters and contracts are the responsibility of the decision-makers in the management, and asking me about them is irrelevant.".
These statements come at a time when the Saudi league is undergoing major transformations and attracting international talent, placing immense pressure on coaches to deliver immediate results. Yassleh's response highlights the challenges a coach faces in balancing high fan expectations with the resources available to him during transfer windows, raising questions about Al-Ahli's future plans to return to winning ways.
