Al-Nassr coach: The competition for the Saudi League title is limited to 4 teams
The manager of Al-Nassr FC affirmed that his team is progressing steadily and strategically in the Saudi Professional League, emphasizing that preparations are being made for each match individually to ensure complete focus and secure points. These statements were made during the press conference following his team's well-deserved victory over Al-Fateh FC, where the coach outlined his vision for the competition this season in light of the significant development witnessed in Saudi football.
The battle of the top four in the Saudi League
Speaking about the title race, the Al-Nassr coach noted that the competitive landscape in the Saudi league has become more complex and intense. However, he believes the real battle for the shield is limited to just four clubs, including Al-Nassr. This statement aligns with the new reality of Saudi football following the Public Investment Fund's acquisition of the four major clubs (Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli), which has created a clear technical gap with the remaining teams and intensified the competition among them.
Chasing Al-Hilal and a long-term strategy
The coach addressed the direct competition with their traditional rival and current league leader, Al-Hilal, emphasizing that the points difference is extremely small (one point in the context of the statement), reflecting Al-Nassr's improved performance compared to previous seasons which saw larger point gaps. He added, "We are delivering very positive performances and results, and our goal is to continue on this upward trajectory. When I came to coach Al-Nassr, I believed in the abilities of this group, and now we strive to translate that belief into titles.".
Rotation philosophy and resting Cristiano Ronaldo
Regarding the technical decisions concerning the squad, specifically the exclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo and some key players from the previous Asian match, the coach justified this by citing the immense pressure of matches the team faces between domestic and continental competitions. He said, "My decision to exclude Ronaldo and the other starters was aimed at giving them the necessary rest to avoid fatigue and injuries. We are competing on multiple fronts and we need every player to be fully fit." He also indicated his reliance on the Brazilian trio of Pinto Matheus and Angelo Gabriel, in addition to the Iraqi Haider Abdul-Karim, as part of a smart rotation policy.
Ayman Yahya and the importance of clean nets
The coach praised Ayman Yahya, describing him as a distinguished player who makes a valuable contribution whenever he plays. He emphasized his commitment to not putting Yahya under pressure and to bringing him on at the right moments. He concluded by focusing on the defensive aspect, considering a clean sheet to be the key to victory, saying, "The team that keeps a clean sheet is always the closest to winning, and that's what we constantly work on to ensure we continue to accumulate points.".
