Matthias Jäissle comments on Al-Ahli's victory in the Jeddah derby: The league is a marathon
German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli club, expressed his immense happiness and pride in his team's heroic performance in the Jeddah derby against their arch-rivals, Al-Ittihad. Jäissle described the match, which ended in a resounding 3-1 victory for Al-Ahli, as "absolutely fantastic," praising the complete control his team exerted over the game in the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League.
Speaking to the media after the match at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel), Yassle emphasized that winning the derby was more than just three points; it was a testament to the excellent work being done within the club. The young coach noted that the Saudi League is a "long marathon" requiring sustained effort, stressing that the competition is far from over and that the standings can change at any moment, necessitating the highest level of focus.
The challenges of absences and the emergence of local stars
Yassle spoke candidly about the challenges facing the team, particularly the significant absences in the back line. He confirmed the team would be without the services of Turkish international defender Merih Demiral, explaining that they would have to play several matches without him. However, Yassle turned this crisis into a positive, expressing his immense pride in the performances of the local players who have proven their worth in crucial matches. He specifically mentioned the duo of Mohamed Bakr and Rayan Hamed, praising their improved level and their ability to effectively compensate for absences, which reflects the depth of the squad and the quality of the local talent within Al Ahli's ranks.
The importance of the Jeddah derby and its regional impact
This victory holds special significance that extends beyond the pitch, as the Jeddah derby is one of the oldest and fiercest derbies in the Arab world and the Middle East. This match comes at a time when the Saudi league is undergoing a historic transformation and enjoying unprecedented global attention, making a win in such a high-profile clash a powerful message to rivals and a reaffirmation of Al-Ahli's prestigious standing. The electrifying atmosphere at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel) reflected the immense passion of Saudi fans, a fact Yassle remarked on with great admiration.
Preparing for the next stage
Yassle concluded his remarks by turning his attention to the near future, emphasizing that celebrating the derby victory should not make the team forget the upcoming challenges. He indicated that the team has already begun mental and physical preparations for another tough match against Al-Qadisiyah next week, stressing the need to treat each game as a separate final to ensure they continue to accumulate points and compete strongly until the very end of the competition.
