Saudi clubs’ preparations for the AFC Elite Champions League and local league updates

German Julian Weigl, the Al-Qadisiyah club midfielder, showed great enthusiasm before the kick-off in the elite AFC Champions League tournament against the Emirati club Al-Wasl on Tuesday, stressing that his team deserves to be among the continent’s top players based on what it presented last season.

Weigl said in his statements to Asharq Al-Awsat: “I think we are all very excited about the start of this new tournament for us. I think we deserve to be in the (elite) based on what we presented last season; We have worked very hard to be in this competition. “So, everyone is excited and wants the match to start now, especially since it is being held on our soil and among our fans.”

He continued: “It is a very wonderful thing for us, and we want to present a strong and distinguished performance in front of our fans, and to have a good and positive start in this continental tournament.”

Brazilian Fabio Carelli, Al-Fayhaa coach, gave his team’s players a week’s leave, after the goalless draw against Al-Shabab in the seventh round of the Saudi Professional League. There will be an internal camp at the club, including a friendly match against the Riyadh team on October 11.

For its part, the medical staff is seeking during the international break to prepare the injured trio, Abdullah Al-Qahtani, Nawaf Al-Harithi, and Portuguese defender Paulo Oliveira, while continuing the program prepared for them during the next stage, and seeking to be more ready in the eighth round, where the team will play its match against the Riyadh team at Al Majmaah Sports City Stadium.

It is noteworthy that Brazilian Fabio Carelli, the team's coach, expressed his dissatisfaction with the level shown by his team during the match against Al-Shabab, stressing that the technical staff will take advantage of the current break to work on correcting mistakes and returning stronger after the international break.

Marino Pusic, Al-Ahly coach, confirmed that facing Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor in the AFC Champions League for the Elite receives a lot of enthusiasm, pointing out the strength and quality of the opponent, and stressing the importance of exploiting the ground staff and the audience.

Pusic said during the press conference before the match: “There is always a lot of enthusiasm in matches of this type against a strong competitor with great quality, but we are playing in front of our fans and at home, and we will try to prepare the team well.”

He added about Pakhtakor: “It is a big team and one of the distinguished teams in its country, and we will work to achieve the aspirations of our fans, and I would rather play matches than conduct exercises on a daily basis.”

The Dutch coach touched on the pressures that Al-Ahly faces as the holder of the championship title, saying: “As you know, in the beginning as the holder of the title you are forced to provide an impressive performance and high competitiveness.”

In response to Asharq Al-Awsat’s question about his assessment of the technical aspects of the team since he took over the job, and the extent to which the short recovery period and the intensity of the matches affected the players, Pusic explained: “I have almost completed a month with the club, and we are playing differently. My point of view is that football is played offensively, with respect for all different styles.”

He continued: “We are going through a period of transformation, and I understand the audience’s emotional point of view, and I hope they will support and wait.” “I have a lot of passion, and the tight schedule did not allow us to play many practices, and I believe that football is played for the fans.”

Pusic praised Al-Ahly fans, saying: “I felt the passion and love of the fans, and I thank them for their support and support.” Let us move forward, and I thank all the club members and the club’s beautiful slogan is (And through time we will move together). I believe in this slogan and its high and beautiful value, and I try to continuously improve for the sake of the team and the entity as a whole.”

For his part, Portuguese Francisco Trincao, Al-Ahly player, expressed his readiness to help the team, stressing his harmony with the group and his happiness with his presence in the club.

Trincao said: “We hope to perform well in the match tomorrow and help the team.” I just want to play and support the team, and I do not prefer to play in the traditional style with the coach’s possession style. We create a lot of chances in the matches we play, and we hope to continue doing so.”

He added: “I am in harmony with the team and I am happy to be with you.”

Trincao promised Al-Ahly fans to continue giving, saying with a smile: “I promise Al-Ahly fans to always give and help the team, if I play, of course,” referring to the decision to participate in the match.

Al-Ahly will host its counterpart, Pakhtakor, tomorrow, in the elite AFC Champions League competitions, in a confrontation during which the team seeks to continue its positive results on the continent and enhance its presence in the tournament whose title it holds.