Nestor El Maestro, the technical director of Al-Najma Club, commented clearly and with high sportsmanship on the heavy defeat that his team suffered against Al-Ahli Club by four goals to nil, in the strong confrontation that brought the two teams together as part of the competitions of the twenty-third round of the Roshan Professional League, which was hosted by Al-Inma Stadium.

Nestor El Maestro's post-match comments

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the coach refused to put undue pressure on his players, emphasizing the positive aspects of the match. "We played a strong game and performed very well at various points," El Maestro said. He added, praising his opponents, "We mustn't forget that we faced Al Ahli, the Asian champions and a team with a world-class squad. Nevertheless, I'm pleased with the fighting spirit my players displayed throughout the match.".

Turning point: fitness and expulsion

The Al-Najma coach provided a technical analysis of the match, explaining that it was divided into two completely contrasting phases. He stated, "The team played in two different halves; in the first half, the team displayed phenomenal physical effort, which allowed us to neutralize Al-Ahli's attacking threat. However, in the second half, specifically after the red card and the resulting numerical disadvantage, the players' physical performance noticeably declined, which is understandable against a team that dominates possession so effectively as Al-Ahli.".

Advanced Press Philosophy and the Brilliance of Ivan Toni

The coach concluded his remarks by emphasizing his tactical identity: "We play with an advanced pressing style, and my team played a tactically brilliant match in the first half. The conclusive proof is that Al-Ahly failed to score any goals during the first half, and we will continue to work in this way to improve performance in the upcoming matches.".

It is worth noting that the match witnessed a remarkable performance by English striker Ivan Tony, who led Al-Ahli to this resounding victory by scoring a hat-trick, taking advantage of the spaces that appeared in Al-Najma’s defense during the second half. Al-Ahli thus confirmed its determination to compete strongly in the Roshan Professional League, benefiting from the constellation of stars that the team includes, who make the difference in crucial moments.

Competition context of the Roshan League

This match comes at a time when the Saudi league is witnessing significant sporting activity and a rise in the technical level of all clubs, with matches no longer being predetermined, as demonstrated by Al-Najma's resilience in the first half. This result serves as motivation for Al-Ahli to continue their climb towards the top of the standings, while Al-Najma's coaching staff will work on addressing defensive and physical weaknesses to ensure they remain in a safe position in the league table.

German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al-Ahli's first football team, expressed his immense happiness at his team's valuable victory over Al-Najma in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. This match coincided with Saudi Arabia's "Foundation Round" celebrations, adding a special significance to the win, which the coach described as coming at a crucial time in the fierce title race.

In the press conference that followed the match, Yasleh stated: "The match was a difficult and unexpected challenge, and Al-Najma team put on a strong performance and a distinguished defensive organization that made our task difficult for many periods of the match. They closed the spaces tightly, but the support of the Al-Ahli fans in the stands had a magical effect and helped us a lot to overcome the difficult moments and return with the three points.".

Special praise for the development of Atangana

The young German coach also spoke about the technical gains, praising the fighting spirit of the players, and specifically mentioning the player "Atangana," saying: "Atangana's remarkable development in training and recent matches is very reassuring. This development directly benefits the team and gives us additional and vital tactical options in midfield, which is what we desperately need in the next stage.".

Jeddah derby: A historic rivalry renewed

All eyes are now on the highly anticipated clash next Saturday, as Al-Ahli faces its traditional rival Al-Ittihad in the great Jeddah derby. This derby, historically known as the Red Sea derby, holds immense importance not only in terms of points but also because it represents a rich footballing legacy in the region. Matches between these two giants in Jeddah are considered among the fiercest derbies in the Arab and Asian world, always characterized by intense rivalry, excitement, and a massive fan presence that creates a vibrant atmosphere in the stands.

The race for the top spot and the challenges of the Roshan League

This latest victory holds added significance for Al-Ahli given the current standings in the Roshan League, a league experiencing tremendous growth and unprecedented global interest. Al-Ahli currently sits in second place, trailing leaders Al-Hilal only on goal difference, making every point in the remaining matches crucial. Coach Yassle understands that a slip-up in the derby could prove costly in the team's quest to reclaim the league title, especially considering the high level of performance displayed by Saudi clubs this season, boasting a host of world-class players.

Al-Ahli fans are counting heavily on the skill of their German coach and his ability to manage big matches, and to take advantage of the morale boost from the victory over Al-Najma and the brilliance of young players like Atangana, to decide the derby and try to take sole possession of the lead or continue to chase Al-Hilal step by step towards the podium.

The 23rd round of the Saudi First Division League, dubbed the "Founding Round" in celebration of Saudi Arabia's founding day, kicked off amidst an atmosphere of excitement and fierce competition, reflecting the significant development of Saudi football at all levels. The first day of this round witnessed several fluctuations in results that directly impacted the league standings, both in the race for promotion to the top tier and the battle to avoid relegation.

Details of the Founding Round matches

In one of the most exciting matches of the round, Al-Jabalain reaffirmed their determination to compete strongly this season, securing a valuable away victory against Al-Anwar with a score of 3-2. This win not only earned Al-Jabalain three points but also solidified their hold on third place with 45 points, a position that qualifies them for promotion and is the focus of everyone's attention. Meanwhile, Al-Anwar's struggles deepened as they dropped to thirteenth place with 26 points, placing them in the relegation zone.

In another high-scoring, one-sided match, Al-Wahda their attacking prowess against Al -Bukairiyah , securing a resounding 3-0 victory. This impressive win propelled the Knights of Mecca to twelfth place with 26 points, giving the team a significant morale boost and helping them distance themselves from the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Al-Bukairiyah's points tally remained at 33, dropping them to eighth place.

Al-Jubail snatched what may be their most valuable victory of the season, defeating direct rivals Al-Batin 1-0. Although both teams have the same number of points (11) and are languishing at the bottom of the table, this win gives Al-Jubail a significant psychological advantage in their long fight to avoid relegation.

Al-Adalah and Jeddah played to a 2-2 draw , with both teams sharing the points. Al-Adalah remained in 15th place (17 points) and Jeddah in 9th (28 points). Meanwhile, Al-Raed secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Al-Jandal , bringing their total to 35 points and placing them 7th, while Al-Jandal remained in 14th place with 21 points.

The importance of the Yellow League and the competitiveness of the season

The Yellow League is gaining increasing importance season after season, having evolved from a mere stepping stone to a championship in its own right, boasting extensive media coverage and a remarkable fan base. The naming of this round as the "Foundation Round" underscores the close connection between sports and national identity, creating a celebratory atmosphere in the stands.

The current results indicate that the struggle will intensify in the upcoming rounds, especially with the points close between the middle and top clubs, as Al-Jabalain seeks to secure promotion early, while clubs like Al-Wahda and Al-Raed are trying to improve their positions to ensure they are in the safe zone or competing for the top spots, which promises an exceptional season until the final whistle.