The thirteenth round of the Saudi Professional League witnessed a fiery football derby between Saudi football giants Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah (The Shining Jewel). This dramatic encounter ended with Al-Nassr, who had led the league for much of the season, losing to their hosts Al-Ahli by a score of 3-2, in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The echoes of El Clásico and its impact on the sporting scene
This match is more than just a loss of three points; it comes amidst the fierce competition of the Saudi League, which has become a global focal point thanks to international recruitment and the tremendous improvement in its technical level. Losing in such high-profile matches (like the Clasico) usually leaves a profound impact that extends beyond the pitch, casting a shadow on the technical and administrative stability of major clubs and raising questions about their readiness to compete for domestic and continental titles.
Platform X erupts in anger against the coach and players
Following the final whistle, the social media platform "X" became a forum for criticizing Al-Nassr's technical and administrative performance. A number of sports commentators directed their anger at the coach (referred to in the news as "Jesus"), holding him responsible for the team's decline in performance.
In a technical analysis of the situation, sports critic Mohammed Al-Duwaish commented on his official account, saying, "Al-Nassr fans blame the coach while watching their defense easily breached in every match by counter-attacks." Al-Duwaish didn't stop at criticizing the defensive system; he also directed his criticism at the team's star players, adding, "No Al-Nassr fan can defend Cristiano (Ronaldo), Koeman, Joao, and Brozovic, who were mere spectators in the match. Despite being outnumbered and facing Al-Ahli's problems, Al-Ahli managed to neutralize Al-Nassr's stars and limit their threat.".
Tactical analysis and calls for a change of approach
For his part, critic Abdulkarim Al-Zamil offered an analytical perspective on the team's future, indicating that the current tactics will not lead Al-Nassr to championships. Al-Zamil stated, "With these tactics, the coach will not lead Al-Nassr to any titles unless the club signs a strong defensive midfielder and a striker from the youth ranks." Al-Zamil also addressed the situation of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, calling for a more controlled role to ensure better performance. He said, "Ronaldo's participation must be regulated so he can perform with better mental and physical focus under the pressure of matches. He must abandon the idea of reaching 1000 goals at the expense of achieving collective championships for Al-Nassr.".
Administrative crisis and calls for dismissal
The anger wasn't limited to the technical aspects; it extended to the club's administrative structure. Journalist Faisal Al-Qayrawan concluded the discussion with sharp and direct demands, addressing his remarks to the head of the executive committee, Sultan Al-Sheikh. Al-Qayrawan stated, "After Al-Ahli's loss, our demands are clear: the immediate dismissal of Al-Skeet, Saeed, and Abu Dahash." He added firmly, "As far as I'm concerned, this duo has had their full opportunity and must leave immediately. Sultan Al-Sheikh personally bears the responsibility for their continued presence for even one more day." Al-Qayrawan warned that failure to respond could escalate the demands to include the top executive, calling for the formation of an urgent investigative committee to uncover those responsible for leaking internal correspondence to the media.
