Roger Ibanez, Man of the Match for Al-Ahli vs. Al-Riyadh: Amazing stats and a rating of 8.0
On a remarkable football night at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez a masterclass in modern defensive techniques, leading his Saudi Al-Ahli team to a valuable and well-deserved victory over Al-Riyadh Club with a score of 1-0, in the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League.
Exceptional performance and the numbers speak for themselves regarding Ibanez
Al-Ahli's victory in this match was more than just a fleeting three points; it was a testament to the solidity of the defensive system expertly orchestrated by Ibanez. The match statistics reflected the Brazilian defender's absolute dominance, establishing him as the undisputed man of the match after receiving a high rating of 8.0 . The numbers show that Ibanez was the driving force behind the team's attacks from the back, touching the ball 74 times – a figure that reflects the immense confidence his teammates have in him.
In terms of passing, Ibanez was exceptionally accurate, completing 48 out of 58 passes. This helped maintain possession and slow the tempo of the game when needed. He didn't limit himself to short passes, however, demonstrating remarkable quality in long diagonal balls that broke through the opposition's lines, completing 6 successful long balls out of 11 attempts, thus providing Al Ahly with diverse attacking options.
A solid defensive wall and air superiority
On a purely defensive level, Ibanez was an impenetrable wall against Al-Riyadh's attacks. He completely dominated the airspace, winning all four aerial duels with a 100% success rate, thus preventing the opposition from capitalizing on crosses. His decisiveness was evident in his direct tackles, where he made four crucial clearances from dangerous areas, three intelligent interceptions of passing lanes, and recovered possession twice, keeping a clean sheet for his team.
The context of the competition and the importance of victory
This performance takes on added significance given the overall context of the Saudi League competition this season. Al-Ahli, aiming to solidify their place in the top four and secure an Asian Champions League spot, are heavily reliant on the strength of their defense. Ibanez's brilliance underscores the success of the club's international signings, as he has become a cornerstone of coach Matthias Jäissle's lineup. Keeping a clean sheet in tough away matches is a vital indicator of the team's tactical maturity, which strengthens Al-Ahli's chances of finishing the season in a position befitting the club's illustrious history.
In conclusion, this great effort was crowned with Roger Ibanez receiving the Man of the Match , as the Brazilian defender continues to deliver his remarkable performances that make him one of the best defenders in the league this season, and an indispensable element in Al-Ahly’s squad.
