Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa, manager of Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, made fiery statements full of appreciation and respect for his upcoming opponent, Al-Ahli Saudi, just hours before the anticipated match between the two teams in the next round of the AFC Champions League, which is scheduled to be held at Al-Inma Stadium.

In the pre-match press conference, Souza emphasized the difficulty of the task against such a seasoned opponent, praising Al-Ahli's high level of skill. Speaking to the media, Souza said, "First, I would like to congratulate Al-Ahli on their outstanding performances last season. We are very happy to be facing a great team like Al-Ahli, a champion with a rich history in Asia.".

The Portuguese coach used an eloquent analogy to describe the technical and tactical state of his opponent, saying: “Tomorrow we face a very disciplined team. They operate like a Swiss watch, both in terms of collective performance and results,” in a clear reference to the high level of organization and harmony between the lines of the Saudi team under the leadership of its technical staff.

A huge morale boost for Al-Ahly before the Asian competition

Al-Ahli Saudi enters this match in high spirits, seeking victory against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai to continue its winning streak and strengthen its position in both domestic and continental competitions. This match comes at a time when the team is enjoying a period of attacking brilliance, having secured a resounding victory in its last Saudi Professional League match against its neighbor, Al-Shabab.

The recent Riyadh derby ended with a resounding 5-2 victory for Al-Ahli, a result that sent a strong warning to all rivals and confirmed the club's readiness to compete on all fronts this season. Al-Ahli aims to capitalize on this high morale to secure points in their upcoming Asian Champions League match and take a significant step towards the knockout stages.

The importance of Asian elite matches

This match holds special significance as it falls within the new format of the AFC Champions League, which brings together the elite clubs of Asia. Saudi-Emirati encounters are always considered a "Gulf derby," characterized by intense rivalry and high fan turnout. Fans view this match as a true test of both coaches' abilities. Shabab Al Ahli will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans (or other surrounding circumstances) to achieve a positive result against one of the strongest contenders for the title, while Al Ahli Saudi aims to reaffirm its dominance and the formidable strength it has demonstrated domestically and translate that to the continental stage.

Brazilian goalkeeper Pinto Matheus, the goalkeeper for Al-Nassr's first football team, revealed the real reasons behind his remarkable performance with "Al-Aalami" recently, after a series of strong performances in local and continental competitions, which culminated in keeping a clean sheet on several occasions.

Pinto's statements after the Al-Fateh match

Speaking to the official broadcaster after the Al-Nassr and Al-Fateh match, Pinto Matheus said: "I think the most important thing is to get back to playing and participating as a starter. I went through a complicated situation and was close to leaving earlier, but in the end I didn't leave and decided to stay and fight for my position.".

The Brazilian goalkeeper added, explaining the secret to the recent defensive solidity: "This series of matches without conceding goals is not a coincidence, but rather the result of my hard and continuous work. I never stopped being dedicated to training at any moment, and I continued to work all the time to be ready when needed.".

Important win in the Roshan League

These statements came after Pinto led his team, Al-Nassr, to a valuable 2-0 victory over Al-Fateh in their last match of the Saudi Professional League. Pinto's crucial saves boosted the confidence of the defense and secured the three points for the Riyadh-based team.

The importance of defensive stability for victory

Pinto Matheus's impressive performance comes at a crucial time in the season, as Al-Nassr aims to compete strongly for all available titles. The goalkeeping position is considered a key pillar of the team, and Al-Nassr relied on this when they signed the Brazilian international from the Brazilian league to compensate for absences and ensure stability in the back line.

Keeping a clean sheet is a positive indicator reflecting the coach's improved defensive system, giving the team a significant advantage in winning matches, especially given Al-Nassr's formidable attacking force boasting world-class stars. Pinto's return to form and confidence represents a tremendous morale boost for the team as they strive to close the gap with their rivals at the top of the league.

General context and professional influence

Pinto's impressive performances are part of the overall development of the Saudi Professional League, which now boasts some of the world's best players. This high level of competition forces professional players to perform at their best to secure a starting position. Pinto's statements have demonstrated that a professional mindset and patience are key to success in a demanding and competitive football environment like the Saudi League, sending a reassuring message to Al-Nassr fans about the future of the team's goalkeeping position.

Tottenham Hotspur announced in an official statement on Saturday the appointment of Croatian Igor Tudor as the team's interim manager until the end of the current season, in a move aimed at addressing the team's precarious position in the English Premier League standings.

This decisive decision by the Spurs management comes after the dismissal of Danish coach Thomas Frank last Wednesday, following a series of negative results that destabilized the team and led to its alarming decline to sixteenth place, where the gap between it and the relegation zone is now only five points, a situation that does not befit the history of the prestigious London club.

Rescue mission and extensive European expertise

Igor Tudor, 47, boasts extensive coaching experience in European football, having previously managed prominent clubs such as Juventus, Lazio, Udinese, and Verona in Italy, as well as Olympique Marseille in France, Galatasaray in Turkey, and Hajduk Split in Croatia. His most recent stint was with Juventus, where he was dismissed last October after a difficult period, despite having previously guided the team to a fourth-place finish in the 2024-2025 season and securing Champions League qualification following a series of impressive early results.

In his first statement after being appointed, Tudor expressed his enthusiasm for the task, saying: "It is an honor for me to join this club at such a crucial moment. I am aware of the responsibility I have taken on, and my objective is clear: to achieve greater consistency in our performances and to compete with conviction in every match." The Croatian coach affirmed his confidence in the squad, adding: "This group possesses great quality, and my job is to organize them, instill enthusiasm in them, and quickly improve our results.".

The interim coach's strategy and waiting for Pochettino

Tottenham's management strategy appears to be based on temporary solutions while they work towards a long-term project, a move similar to Manchester United's recent appointment of Michael Carrick. Reports indicate that the club's primary objective for next season is to bring back Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently committed to the United States national team at the upcoming World Cup, making Tudor the ideal solution for this transitional phase.

The club had considered other options such as Edin Terzic and Marco Rose before settling on Tudor, who faces a fiery encounter in his first real test, as Tottenham hosts its traditional rival Arsenal (the leader) in the "North London Derby" on February 22, a match that could be key to restoring confidence or deepening the wounds.