Jesus: The international break affected Al-Nassr, and Simakan is suffering from fatigue

A valuable victory for Al-Nassr despite the defensive challenges

Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that his team's primary objective had been achieved: securing a victory and claiming three valuable points in their hard-fought match against Al-Najma. The exciting encounter took place at Al-Ahli Park in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, as part of the 27th round of the league. Al-Nassr emerged victorious with a resounding 5-2 win over Al-Najma. Despite the positive result, the coach noted that the opposing team displayed considerable competitiveness and managed to trouble his team at various points in the match, capitalizing on their well-organized defense and a technically gifted striker who posed a significant threat to their goal.

The impact of absences and fatigue on the defense system

In his technical analysis of the match, Jesus explained that Al-Nassr's biggest weakness was conceding two goals, a clear warning sign that the team needs to work intensively on addressing defensive errors and improving positioning. The coach pointed out that the team's defensive performance was below expectations, particularly in the back line, which suffered from some weaknesses. He attributed this in part to the absence of the influential player Martinez, whose absence left a noticeable void and directly impacted the team's defensive balance. Furthermore, the coach addressed the evident physical fatigue of defender Simakan during the second half, which necessitated a swift tactical intervention to substitute him, both to protect him and to inject fresh energy into the team to secure the result.

The curse of international breaks and managing physical exertion

On another note, Jesus addressed the issue of international breaks and their impact on clubs, adding that the international break (FIFA days) often has a negative effect and doesn't benefit leading teams who are enjoying a period of technical momentum and tactical cohesion. He explained that the length of the break, coupled with fluctuating weather conditions and the pressure of consecutive matches, negatively impacted the overall performance of both teams on the pitch. Regarding managing the physical exertion of star players, the coach revealed his strategy, saying, "The legend Cristiano Ronaldo didn't participate in the last two matches, and we preferred to rest him and not risk him, especially after we managed to take a two-goal lead and secure the match in our favor." Rotation and resting star players is a necessary step in modern football to avoid muscle injuries in the final stages of the season.

The role of Al-Nassr fans in making a difference

Jesus concluded his press conference by expressing his deep gratitude to Al-Nassr's loyal fans. The coach praised the exceptional atmosphere that filled the stands of Al-Ahli Park, describing it as unique and supportive. He emphasized that the fans' continued support is a fundamental and indispensable element in building a championship-caliber team capable of competing for all titles. He also expressed his strong desire for this effective and influential fan support to continue until the end of the current season, stressing that the unity between the fans and the players is the true key to achieving success and reaching the podium.