Portuguese coach Armando Evangelista, manager of Damac FC, attributed his team’s heavy 3-0 defeat to Neom in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League to a combination of factors, primarily the players’ extreme fatigue and the pressure of consecutive matches.

In his analysis of the match, Evangelista explained that the team started with a conservative tactical plan relying on three defenders, aiming to manage physical fatigue and the limited squad options due to injuries and suspensions. Despite falling behind, the coach praised his players' response in the second half, saying: “We delivered a completely different performance in the second half. We switched to an attacking style and managed to create several genuine scoring opportunities, but we lacked the decisive final touch in front of goal. Furthermore, Nyom's goalkeeper, Maximiano, was outstanding, preventing us from getting back into the game.”.

General context and challenges of the Roshan League

This loss comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has witnessed a significant rise in competitiveness and intensity following the influx of top international football stars. This development has increased the physical and mental demands on all teams, particularly those lacking the squad depth and depth of options enjoyed by the top-tier clubs. Damac FC, based in Khamis Mushait, faces additional challenges related to the long distances involved in away matches, a point the coach explicitly acknowledged when he cited "travel conditions and the pressure of air travel" as contributing factors to his players' declining physical fitness.

Expected impact and future outlook

This result puts Damac under increasing pressure to maintain their mid-table position and avoid getting caught up in complicated calculations in the upcoming rounds. Evangelista confirmed that the coaching staff is currently analyzing the situation to find quick and effective solutions to overcome this difficult period. He concluded by saying, “We are going through a critical period with the continued pressure of matches and the increasing number of absences, but we are working hard to prepare the team and restore its balance. I have great confidence in the players' ability to overcome this setback and return to winning ways as soon as possible.” The biggest challenge facing the Portuguese coach remains how to manage the squad and rotate players to avoid further injuries and ensure they maintain peak fitness for the remainder of the season.

Tensions have escalated within Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad club after star striker Karim Benzema, captain of the first football team, requested to be excluded from the squad for their match against Al-Najma in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. This unexpected request further complicates matters for the Jeddah-based club, which has been struggling with inconsistent results this season.

According to reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, Benzema has informed the club's management and coaching staff, led by manager Sergio Conceição, that he is not ready to play in Sunday's match, despite participating in group training sessions. Jacobs indicated that "the situation is tense given the stalled contract renewal negotiations," adding that other players on the team are nearing the end of their contracts and are pressuring to leave, putting manager Conceição in a difficult and unexpected position.

Background to the transition and escalation of the crisis

Karim Benzema's move to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 was a sensational transfer on the global stage, as he arrived in the Saudi league as the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, recognized as the world's best player. His transfer was part of a massive project aimed at attracting top international football stars to raise the level of competition and draw attention to the Kingdom. However, the player's time with Al-Ittihad has not been without its challenges, marked by periods of tension and criticism regarding his performance and commitment, leading to a difficult period in his relationship with the club in recent months.

Expected impact on the club and the league

Benzema's absence represents a significant blow to Al-Ittihad's attack, especially with fellow striker Saleh Al-Shehri also injured, leaving the team in a precarious position and suffering from a severe shortage of attacking options. Domestically, this crisis is raising concerns among Al-Ittihad fans about the team's future and its ability to compete. Regionally and internationally, these developments highlight the challenges facing the Saudi league in managing its international stars and maintaining their stability, potentially impacting the league's image as an attractive destination for top players in the future. The situation remains uncertain, awaiting developments in the coming days, whether the crisis will be resolved or exacerbated, potentially leading to the French star's departure from the club.

Luis Castro, the technical director of Al-Nasr Club, expressed his complete satisfaction with the performance and result achieved by his team in their last match in the Saudi Professional League, stressing that the team succeeded in achieving the main goal, which is to collect the three points and continue to put pressure in the race for the title.

In the post-match press conference, Castro explained: “We achieved our objective today. It's true we didn't create many chances in the first half, but our performance improved significantly in the second half, and we managed to create several opportunities and score three goals. Most importantly, we kept a clean sheet, which reflects our defensive solidity that we are constantly working to strengthen.” He added: “We will continue to work hard; we have another match in three days, and we need to be fully prepared.”.

The title race heats up in the Roshan League

This victory comes at a crucial juncture in the Saudi League, which is witnessing fierce competition for the top spot this season, particularly between Al-Nassr and their traditional rivals, Al-Hilal. With the league attracting international stars, every match has become a final, and any slip-up could prove costly for the team at the end of the season. Therefore, every Al-Nassr win represents a significant step towards realizing their fans' dream of winning the coveted title, and it boosts the morale of the players and coaching staff amidst the widespread global attention the club has garnered since the arrival of the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.

The impact of Brozovic's absence on the midfield

In response to a question about the team's performance being affected by the absence of Croatian star Marcelo Brozovic, Castro acknowledged the player's importance to the team's system, saying: "What happened today has nothing to do with the strikers' efforts, but rather with the team's overall balance. Brozovic is a pivotal player who plays a major role in achieving balance between defense and attack, and his absence affects this aspect." Brozovic, who joined from Inter Milan, is considered one of Al-Nassr's key midfielders, distinguished by his ability to win back possession and build play from the back, thus giving his teammates greater freedom in attack.

A winning mentality and a focus on the future

The Portuguese coach emphasized that his team's focus is entirely on their own matches, without paying attention to the results of their rivals. He continued, "We don't care about other teams; we go into every match with a winning mentality, and that's our approach. In the first half, we weren't quick in our thinking, but we spoke with the players at halftime and corrected things, and that's what happened. The league will be tough this season." Castro concluded his remarks by reiterating the team's clear objective: "Our goal is to win every upcoming match, and we will continue to work in this way to compete strongly for the league title this season.".