German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of the Al-Ahli Saudi FC first team, made important statements reflecting the significant physical challenges his team faces due to the succession of domestic and continental competitions. Jäissle emphasized that he is racing against time to prepare his players both physically and technically before the upcoming match against Al-Najma, scheduled for Thursday, February 19th, as part of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League.
Race against the clock and recovery challenge
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the German coach highlighted the major dilemma facing top clubs competing on multiple fronts, saying: “The next match is just two days away. We are in a real race to get our players ready, and in such tight schedules, finding the balance between muscle recovery and technical and tactical preparation becomes extremely difficult.” These remarks underscore the immense pressure of the congested fixture schedule at this crucial stage of the season, requiring intensive medical and fitness work to prevent muscle injuries.
Smart maneuvering and gains in the Asian arena
This match comes just days after Al-Ahli's valuable victory over Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in the final group stage match of the AFC Champions League. That game served as a true test of Al-Ahli's squad depth, as coach Yassla employed a rotation strategy to rest his key players. The match saw the absence of Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and the benching of key players like Ivorian Franck Kessié and Englishman Ivan Tony, giving second-string players the opportunity to prove their worth and deliver a strong performance that will bolster the coach's options for upcoming matches.
Managing the physical exertion of stars
Continuing his strategy of distributing the workload, Yassle substituted several key players in the second half of the Asian Champions League match, including Algerian Riyad Mahrez, defender Roger Ibanez, Galeano, and Zakaria Hawsawi. These tactical changes were not merely technical adjustments, but rather a necessary measure to preserve the players' fitness levels before returning to the fierce domestic competition, as the coaching staff aims to achieve peak cohesion and full readiness for the entire squad.
Al-Najma's ambitions and Al-Ahly's determination
Regarding the match against Al-Najma, Yasleh pointed out that the opponent will enter the game with high morale, especially if they are coming off positive results. He added, "Naturally, a victory for our rivals will give them a morale boost to maintain their chances in the league, but we are optimistic and our goal is definitely to win." Al-Ahli enters this match aiming for the three points to strengthen their position in the Roshan League standings and continue their run of positive results that reflect the team's technical development. Meanwhile, Al-Najma hopes to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to achieve a positive result against one of the giants of Saudi football.
