Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri, manager of Al-Shabab FC, made strong statements following his team's match against Al-Hilal in the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League, held at Al-Shabab's stadium in Riyadh. Benzekri highlighted the tactical details that decided the match, while also praising his opponent's performance, particularly that of their goalkeeper.

In the press conference that followed the match, Ben Zekri said clearly: "We made some defensive mistakes that cost us a lot, but I am very happy with the fighting spirit and technical performance shown by my players. We succeeded in creating many scoring opportunities, and we played a great match worthy of the club's name. We deserved a better result if we hadn't lost due to our own mistakes.".

The Al-Shabab coach touched on the main turning point in the match from his point of view, pointing to the brilliance of the Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, saying: “Mohammed Al-Shuwairikh is injured and we could not include him, and I think that Bounou is the one who deserves the best player award in the match without a doubt. He saved Al-Hilal from certain goals that would have given us a better result and turned the balance of the match.”.

The context of the competition and the impact of the Riyadh derby

These statements come amidst the long-standing rivalry between Riyadh's two giants, with matches between Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal always attracting widespread public and media attention. Ben Zekri's comments reflect the competitive spirit Al-Shabab displayed despite the points difference in the league standings, confirming that Riyadh derbies are not always predictable, but rather determined by the details of the 90 minutes.

Yassine Bounou’s brilliance demonstrates the high technical value that international professionals have added to the Saudi Roshan League, where the goalkeeper position has become a crucial factor in bringing points to the big teams, which is what Ben Zekri implicitly indicated when he said that the difference was in the decisive saves that prevented Al Shabab from coming back.

Defensive errors and future work

Regarding the nature of the goals his team conceded, Ben Zekri continued his analysis, saying, "Al-Hilal's goals in the first half weren't due to complex tactical decisions; rather, they all resulted from direct errors by our defense." This statement highlights the critical need to work on defensive organization and mental focus among the players in big matches.

The Algerian coach concluded his remarks with a forward-looking perspective on his work with the team, saying, "We've made many changes to the squad since our arrival, but we need more time for tactical work so the players can fully grasp and implement it on the pitch." These words confirm that Ben Zekri's project with Al-Shabab is still under development, and that achieving the desired results requires patience and consistency to address the defensive lapses that surfaced against the league leaders.

In a dramatic night of football in the Saudi Professional League, Saad Al-Shehri, the manager of Al-Ettifaq, expressed his deep disappointment following his team's crushing 3-1 defeat to Al-Hazm. Al-Shehri stated that the match had been progressing according to plan until the red card proved to be the turning point that completely changed the course of the game.

Details of the press conference and Al-Shahri's statements

During the post-match press conference following the thrilling encounter, Al-Shehri explained that Al-Dahna entered the match with high focus and a clear desire to secure the three points, which was reflected in their early opening goal. However, the match took a completely different turn after defender Abdulbasit Hindi received a red card, followed by Al-Hazm conceding an equalizer. This gave Al-Hazm a huge morale boost, enabling them to regain their composure and stage a remarkable comeback.

Al-Shehri said with a tone full of regret: “We congratulate Al-Hazm Club on this victory. We started the match with a distinctive tactical approach and succeeded in taking the lead, but after the sending-off and conceding the equalizer, we gave the opponent spaces and the opportunity to come back. We did not handle the pressure and some decisions on the pitch well, and in the end we lost the match and the points.”.

The impact of expulsion and the challenges of numerical shortages

The Al-Ettifaq coach specifically addressed the incident of defender Abdulbasit Hindi's expulsion, describing the decision as ill-advised and having a direct and harsh impact on the team's defensive and offensive systems. He pointed out that playing with a numerical disadvantage in a strong and competitive league like the Roshan League is one of the most difficult challenges any coaching staff can face, as it forces the coach to completely change his strategy to try and plug the gaps.

Al-Shehri added: “The decision to send off Abdulbasit Hindi was extremely difficult and affected us greatly both technically and physically. We always aspire to complete the match with our full squad, because a red card puts the coach and players in front of a great challenge due to the drain on their energy and focus. We hope to be more successful and wise in our decisions during the upcoming matches to rectify the situation.”.

The teams' positions in the standings and the importance of winning

This match comes as part of the 24th round of the league, a crucial stage that will determine the shape of the competition, both in the top four and in the relegation zone. Al-Hazm secured a valuable victory on Friday evening, raising their points tally to 28 and climbing to 10th place, taking a significant step away from the danger zone. This victory underscores the importance of their chances of remaining in the top flight.

In contrast, Al-Ettifaq’s tally remains frozen at 38 points in seventh place, a result that may complicate the team’s calculations in competing for the qualifying spots for continental championships or improving its position in the standings, which puts additional pressure on the technical staff and players to compensate in the upcoming rounds and restore the tone of victories to satisfy Al-Ettifaq fans.

Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of Al-Ittihad, expressed his satisfaction with his team's 1-0 victory over Al-Khaleej in their match in the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League. He emphasized that securing three points at this crucial stage of the season was the primary objective, even if the team didn't display its usual full attacking prowess.

Tactical realism is the motto of this phase

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Conceição admitted that the game lacked high technical quality and a fast pace from both sides, noting the scarcity of clear-cut scoring opportunities throughout the match. The Portuguese coach explained that modern football, especially in highly competitive leagues like the Saudi League, sometimes prioritizes results over aesthetics, particularly against defensively organized opponents. He added that Al-Ittihad managed to achieve this by keeping a clean sheet and securing the winning goal.

The return of the stars and the deployment of the winning cards

Regarding individual players, Conceição highlighted the situation of Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, describing him as a strategic asset to the Tigers' squad. The coach confirmed that Al-Aboud, as an international player with high technical abilities, had undergone an intensive and specialized rehabilitation program recently to ensure his full readiness, emphasizing that the team desperately needs his services and experience in the upcoming crucial matches.

The coach also took the opportunity to praise Mario Mitaël's tactical flexibility, citing his successful experience on the wing during the previous match against Al Sadd. Conceição explained that Mitaël's tactical intelligence provides the coaching staff with additional solutions and diverse options on the field, expressing his complete satisfaction with the player's performances and his ability to adapt to the demands of different matches.

The importance of winning in the context of competition

This result is particularly significant given the overall context of the Saudi Professional League, where the title race is fiercely contested. Winning in the later rounds (such as round 24) is crucial for maintaining a title challenge or securing a place in continental competitions. Historically, Al-Ittihad has been known for its champion mentality, enabling it to win difficult and complex matches even when the team isn't at its best. This reflects the tactical and mental maturity of both the players and the coaching staff.

Conceição concluded his remarks by emphasizing that performance evaluation is subject to the circumstances of each individual match, noting that the team had performed better in previous encounters, but that the victory against a tough competitor like Al-Khaleej remains a significant moral and points gain that enhances the team’s confidence in its journey towards achieving its seasonal goals.