German Jens Vissing, Al-Ittihad coach, confirmed that the three points against Al-Fayhaa were the most important for his team in the Saudi Professional League so far, noting that the great physical effort made by the players in the previous match against Al-Nasr was reflected in their performance, with the team playing a match every three days.
Vissing said in the press conference after the match: The confrontation was not easy, especially since it came days after a difficult match against Al-Nasr, and the most important thing for us is to achieve victory. We put in a lot of effort in the last match and that affected us today. In the first half, we were not successful in converting some chances. They were not dangerous, but they were good. In the second half, we became more dangerous and improved in some aspects, and the most important thing is to get full points.
Regarding the participation of Reus and Lope for the first time, and then fielding two attackers during the match, he said: I wanted to resolve the confrontation, and when I included Youssef En-Nesyri, I believed in our ability to score, in addition to his ability to return and help defensively. We were better in the second half, and we are in a stage where we are improving day after day, and our fitness level at the present time does not allow us to play at a high pace every three days.
Regarding his reliance on a large number of roster players, unlike some coaches who prefer to rely on a limited group, Vissing explained: This is my team and I believe in all the players. I analyze their performance and we consider all our options. We have a difficult schedule, so it is important that everyone has the opportunity to participate.
In response to Asharq Al-Awsat’s question about contracting with Wijnaldum, despite his different characteristics from the wingers with whom Al-Ittihad was contracted, and how to employ him in addition to the coach’s perception of the right-wing position, Vissing said: I do not look at the matter from the perspective of the player’s position only. What concerns me is having a player who can play in more than one position, whether on the flank or between the lines. Wijnaldum is an important addition, he is an intelligent player and knows how to act in different situations. I spoke to him and found him to be a hungry player, a great personality and a leader.
Regarding injuries and the condition of the players before the next due dates, the Al-Ittihad coach said: Things are not clear yet regarding injuries, and at the end of the day we will know more about the players available to us. We play a match every three days, and it is normal for us to face such conditions.
Irishman Brendan Rodgers, coach of Al-Qadisiyah, said that his team deserved to win over Al-Ahly, praising the performance presented by his players against a team he described as “big,” which won the AFC Elite Champions League title in the last two editions.
Rodgers said during the press conference after the match: “We played an excellent match and achieved a well-deserved and very important victory against a great team and the Asian champion in the last two editions, at a time when our team is still growing and developing.”
He added: “We could have scored more goals, and even during the second half we had opportunities to double the score, but we did not succeed in investing them, while Al-Ahly succeeded in scoring two goals, and therefore we left the match with a number of lessons that we must learn from.”
In response to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat’s question about the decline in Al-Qadisiyah’s performance in the second half, and the upcoming confrontation with Al-Ettifaq, Rodgers explained: “We entered the second half with the aim of strengthening our lead and we did not retreat, but we must be clear that the atmosphere was harsh and difficult, and it is difficult to maintain the same strength and rhythm throughout the match.”
He continued: “Al-Ahly started the second half strongly, and scored a goal that gave them greater motivation to search for the second goal, and in return we wasted a number of achieved opportunities. We also played with a real numerical disadvantage during that period, in addition to a high rate of fatigue. Therefore, the players must be praised for their effort and great desire to continue positive results.”
Regarding the renewed brilliance of striker Julian Quiñones, Al-Qadisiyah coach said: “It is important that all our stars are present at such dates. Quiñones is making rapid strides towards stardom. He shone with Al-Qadisiyah and performed exceptionally well with his country’s national team in the World Cup, and this is what reinforces our permanent confidence in our players and their potential.”
Brazilian Fabio Carelli, Al-Fayhaa coach, expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance despite the loss to Al-Ittihad 2-1, stressing that the level at which his players showed against a strong competitor gives him positive indicators for the future.
Carelli said in the press conference after the match: “Competing against a team the size of Al-Ittihad in this way gives us good indicators for the future. We presented a good confrontation, and I am satisfied with the players’ performance and what they presented during the match.”
The Al-Fayhaa coach pointed out that his team succeeded in imposing its style during periods of the confrontation, and said: “In the first half, we had more possession of the ball, and we were supposed to continue in the same way in the second half. We reached Al-Ittihad’s goal on many occasions, and we were present offensively.”
Carelli objected to the penalty kick awarded in favor of Al-Ittihad, saying: “For me, it was the ball that went to the player’s hand, and not the player’s hand that went to the ball, so I do not see it as a penalty kick.”
