Al-Qadisiyah's first football team has completed all its field and technical preparations for its highly anticipated 12th match under the leadership of its experienced Irish coach, Brendan Rodgers. The team is set to host Neom tomorrow evening, Thursday, at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium at 8:30 PM, as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League.

During Wednesday evening's main training session at the club's stadium, Rodgers focused intensively on tactical aspects, implementing specific plays he intends to use to unlock Neom's defense. The coaching staff also addressed physical conditioning, with the Irish manager ensuring fitness levels were raised through a variety of warm-up exercises, carefully balancing physical exertion with technical readiness.

The challenge of exhaustion and the unbeaten streak

In the context of mental and physical preparation, Rodgers addressed the challenges facing the team, noting that Al-Qadisiyah's schedule of 11 matches in a short period could naturally affect their physical performance. However, the coach expressed great confidence in his players, emphasizing that the physical statistics compiled by the coaching staff demonstrated the team's superiority in most duels and physical challenges, reflecting their strong desire to win.

This match comes at a time when Al-Qadisiyah is experiencing remarkable stability since Rodgers took over as head coach last December, succeeding Spaniard Michel Gonzalez. The Irish coach, who boasts extensive experience in European football (Liverpool, Celtic, Leicester City), has successfully guided the "Beni Cadiz" to a series of impressive positive results, achieving 8 wins and 3 draws, remaining undefeated so far. This reflects a significant transformation in the team's on-field performance.

The battle for the Golden Square and the importance of points

Tomorrow's match carries immense importance, extending far beyond the three points; it represents a direct battle to solidify the team's position in the standings. Al-Qadisiyah enters the game in fourth place with 44 points, aiming to close the gap with Al-Ahli, currently in third (just three points behind). Securing a top-four finish is a strategic objective for the club's management this season, guaranteeing a place in upcoming continental and Asian competitions, thus adding a crucial and highly charged dimension to the upcoming match against Neom.

In closing his remarks to the media center, Rodgers expressed his gratitude to the players for their tremendous effort and to the Al-Qadsia fans, whose support he described as a "crucial motivator." The coach emphasized his anticipation for the team to regain its full form as the season enters its crucial stages, praising the fantastic atmosphere created by the fans at home matches in the Eastern Province.

Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, has decided to make significant changes to the team's starting lineup in preparation for their upcoming match against Al-Shabab in the next round of the Saudi Professional League. This move comes as the coaching staff seeks to bolster the team's attacking and defensive strength in this crucial match, which will be played at Al-Shabab's stadium and represents a pivotal moment in the team's league campaign.

Jorge Jesus has decided to reinstate three key players who were rested in the previous match. Leading the list is team captain and Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, whose presence on the pitch is both a significant technical and moral force. In addition to Ronaldo, the coach has opted to start Sultan Al-Ghannam and Abdullah Al-Khaibari from the outset to ensure defensive balance and connect the team's lines against a tough opponent like Al-Shabab.

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to action this round is of paramount importance, as Al-Nassr fans are counting on him to secure a victory in the mini-Riyadh derby against Al-Shabab. This return comes after the coaching staff opted to rest some key players in the previous match to ensure their full physical readiness for the highly competitive domestic fixtures, especially given the tight schedule and demanding fixture list.

Al-Nassr secured a significant morale-boosting victory in their last match against Arkadag, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan. This win not only earned the team three points but also put them in a strong position to advance to the next round of the AFC Champions League, giving coach Jesus some breathing room to consider his optimal lineup for the upcoming domestic league match without immediate continental pressure.

In the broader context of the competition, matches between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab are considered classics of Saudi football, always characterized by intense rivalry and excitement, regardless of the teams' positions in the league standings. Jesus understands that winning at Al-Shabab's stadium requires complete mental and physical focus, which is why he has opted for his attacking force: Ronaldo, Al-Ghannam's experience, and Al-Khaibari's dynamism. His aim is to control the game from the outset and avoid any surprises that could hinder the team's progress in the Roshan League title race.

Technical forecasts indicate that the return of this trio will give Al-Nassr a clear tactical advantage, as Al-Ghannam contributes to effective offensive support from the right flank, while Al-Khaibari provides security for the defense line, allowing Ronaldo and the rest of the attackers freedom of movement in the attacking third to threaten Al-Shabab’s goal.

The Al-Ettifaq coaching staff, led by English manager Steven Gerrard, received a significant morale and tactical boost ahead of their anticipated and challenging match against the league leaders, with the official confirmation of Slovakian professional Ondrej Duda's availability for upcoming games. The player displayed a reassuring level of physical and technical ability during his active participation in the team's group training session, declaring his complete readiness to compete against Al-Hilal in the top match of the round in the Saudi Professional League.

The Slovakian playmaker has been suffering from a troublesome hamstring injury sustained during his team's match against Al-Kholoud in the 18th round of the league. This injury sidelined him for a significant period, causing him to miss three crucial matches for the Eastern Province team against Al-Ahli, Al-Taawoun, and Damac, which somewhat impacted the team's tactical options in midfield.

Duda's return is of paramount importance at this particular time, given the strength of the opponent and the crucial stage of the league. Facing Al-Hilal, who are performing exceptionally well this season, demands complete mental and physical readiness from all the team's key players. Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq are always classics that attract a large audience both locally and regionally, due to the rich history of both clubs and the star players on each team. Therefore, the return of a key player like Duda is a significant factor in boosting Al-Ettifaq's chances of achieving a positive result.

Al-Ettifaq is scheduled to be a tough opponent for Al-Hilal at 6:25 PM next Friday, in a match that falls within the 22nd round of the Roshan League. Al-Ettifaq enters the match in sixth place in the standings with 35 points, hoping to improve its position and move closer to the top four. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal sits atop the league table with 50 points, aiming to continue its winning streak and widen the gap with its pursuers to secure the title.

Al-Ettifaq fans hope that the return of the Slovakian star will help restore balance to the midfield and connect the lines, especially against a team that has the strongest midfield in the competition, which promises a high-class tactical match between the two sides.