French star Kylian Mbappe, the striker for Real Madrid, admitted that his team did not deliver the consistent and stable performance that would qualify them to secure a direct place in the round of 16 of the Champions League, considering that the team deserved the difficult situation it found itself in after failing to occupy one of the top eight places in the unified group stage.

The fall of Lisbon and the repercussions of the new regime

These strong statements came in the wake of Real Madrid's shock 4-2 defeat to Benfica, a match in which the Portuguese side was managed by former Real Madrid coach José Mourinho. This loss dropped the record 15-time champions to ninth place in the standings, forcing them into a playoff to qualify for the round of 16. This challenge is part of the new tournament format, which features a single group of 36 teams. The top eight teams qualify directly, while the teams finishing 9th to 24th compete in a playoff to determine the remaining eight qualifiers.

Acknowledgment of shortcomings and lack of continuity

Despite a previous winning streak under new coach Álvaro Arbeloa, which included victories over Levante, Monaco, and Villarreal, the team was brought back down to earth in Lisbon. Mbappé commented on this inconsistency, saying, “The problem is our lack of consistency; we have to address this. We can’t play well one day and badly the next; a champion team doesn’t do that.” He added bitterly, “We deserve to be in this position today. Benfica were better, and now we have two more playoff matches. It’s painful to have to play these two games; we wanted to use February to work on improving our performance.”.

A deeper analysis of the reasons for the decline

The French star, who scored both of his team's goals in the match, attempted to diagnose the problem more broadly, emphasizing that it wasn't simply a crisis of confidence or a technical error. He said, "I think it's a combination of several factors. I can't say it's just a mental issue, because if I did, you'd think we came here without any desire." He continued, explaining, "If I told you it was a footballing problem, you'd think the team was bad. No, I think it's a broader issue, and in the Champions League, every detail matters if you want to beat your opponent... This shows you that if you don't go into the match with everything necessary to win, the opponent will come and, as they say, humiliate you.".

A call to the Bernabéu fans

In closing, Mbappé addressed Real Madrid fans directly, urging them to support the team in their upcoming La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu, instead of booing them. He pleaded with the fans, saying, “Come and cheer on the team. We played badly, but we haven’t been eliminated from the Champions League, and we’re in a good position in La Liga right now.” He concluded optimistically, “If the Bernabéu is on our side, we’ll win on Sunday.”.

Football fans will be glued to their screens this Friday, January 30, 2026, as a series of exciting and competitive matches unfold across Saudi Arabia and Europe. The day features crucial encounters in the Saudi Professional League, which continues to attract global attention, as well as equally important fixtures in the German, Italian, and French leagues, guaranteeing a thrilling evening of football for fans of the beautiful game.

Saudi Roshan League: A battle for every point

The Saudi Professional League (SPL) is witnessing fierce competition in every round, having become one of the most prominent leagues in the region and Asia thanks to attracting international stars and its high level of competitiveness. Matches are no longer just about the title race; they have become intense tactical battles in the middle of the standings and the relegation zone. Every point becomes increasingly important as the season progresses, and today's matches clearly reflect this reality.

Saudi football fans eagerly await the match between Al-Kholoud and Al-Nassr, scheduled for 8:30 PM. Al-Nassr, one of the giants of Saudi football, enters every match with the sole aim of securing a victory to compete strongly for the top spot in the standings, while Al-Kholoud seeks a positive result against a tough opponent. In another match, Neom Damac at 6:50 PM, a crucial encounter for both teams as they look to improve their positions in the league table. Additionally, Al-Taawoun faces Al -Akhdoud at 4:50 PM in an early match promising a highly competitive encounter.

A European evening with different flavors

The excitement is not limited to Saudi stadiums, but extends to the Old Continent, where important matches are being held in three of the biggest European leagues.

• In the German Bundesliga Cologne Wolfsburg , high-scoring affair, with both teams vying for three points to bolster their European ambitions or distance themselves from the relegation zone.
• Italian League: All eyes turn to Italy, where Lazio face Genoa at 10:45 PM. Serie A is known for its tactical discipline, and this match will be a true test of both teams' ability to impose their style, especially for Lazio, who often compete for top positions.
• French League: At the same time (10:45 PM), the French League will witness a match between Lens and Le Havre . The French League is considered a goldmine of footballing talent, and its matches are characterized by physicality and speed, making this encounter crucial in the context of competing for European places or securing survival in the top flight.

Today's match schedule, Friday, January 30, 2026:

Saudi Roshan League

• Al-Taawon vs. Al-Akhdoud – 4:50 PM
• Neom vs. Damac – 6:50 PM
• Eternity vs. Victory – 8:30 PM

German League

• Cologne vs. Wolfsburg – 10:30 PM

Italian League

• Lazio vs. Genoa – 10:45 PM

French League

• Lens vs. Le Havre – 10:45 PM

Al-Ahli Saudi FC is preparing for one of its most important matches of the season, receiving a significant morale and tactical boost ahead of its clash with arch-rival Al-Hilal in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. This boost comes in the form of the return of key defensive duo Zakaria Hawsawi and Ali Majrashi, following the completion of their suspensions due to accumulated yellow cards.

Historical background and importance of El Clásico

The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Hilal match, known as the "Saudi Clasico," is one of the oldest and most intense fixtures in Saudi football history. The rivalry between these two giants spans decades, and their encounters have always been fiercely contested and thrilling, both in domestic and continental competitions. This match holds particular significance this season, as Al-Hilal seeks to solidify its lead in the standings and extend its winning streak, while Al-Ahli, making a strong return to the Pro League, aims to prove its worth as a genuine contender for the top spots and close the gap with the leading teams.

The impact of Hawsawi and Majrashi's return

Al-Ahli suffered in their previous match against Al-Ettifaq due to the absence of full-backs Housawi and Majrashi. Despite securing a resounding 4-0 victory, their return represents a vital boost for German coach Matthias Jäissle's squad. Both players are known for their solid defensive capabilities and effective attacking contributions on the flanks, which will provide the team with greater balance against Al-Hilal's potent attack. The duo are expected to return directly to the starting lineup for the match at the Kingdom Arena, giving the coach more tactical options to manage this challenging encounter.

Expected impact at the local and regional levels

The impact of this match extends far beyond the local level, reaching a regional scale. With the Saudi Professional League attracting international stars, its major matches, such as this classic encounter, have become the focus of millions of viewers across the Middle East and the world. The result will not only influence the league title race but will also reflect the high level of competitiveness that Saudi football has reached. An Al-Ahli victory would reignite the title race, while an Al-Hilal win would confirm their absolute dominance this season, cementing the league's position as one of the strongest in Asia.