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.

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.

Greek coach Giorgos Donis, manager of Al-Khaleej club, made fiery statements that sparked widespread controversy in the Saudi sports scene, following his team's loss to Al-Ittihad club by a single goal, in the match that brought them together in the Roshan Professional League competitions at Al-Inma Stadium.

In the post-match press conference, Donis drew a frank and provocative comparison between his current experience with Al-Khaleej and his previous stint with Al-Hilal, pointing to the double standards in refereeing. The Greek coach stated, "When I'm coaching Al-Khaleej, it's easy for referees to show me a red card, but when I was coaching Al-Hilal, it was very difficult for that to happen." This statement reignited the debate surrounding the disparities in refereeing treatment between the major clubs with large fan bases and the rest of the league.

The match was marked by noticeable tension, with Donis repeatedly and strongly protesting the referee's decisions, particularly after the referee refused to award a penalty to Al-Khaleej players. This led to a tense atmosphere on the team's bench, both on and off the field. The match ended with Al-Ittihad winning 1-0 thanks to a goal by professional player Danilo Pereira, further compounding Al-Khaleej's woes after a recent slump in form.

Donis's statements carry particular weight given his long history in Saudi football, where he is no stranger to the professional league. He previously managed Al-Hilal, leading them to championships, and also coached Al-Fateh and Al-Wehda, making him an expert on the intricacies of the competition and the differences between clubs. Observers believe his comments stem from extensive field experience, where he has witnessed the discrepancies in crucial refereeing decisions based on club affiliation.

This loss puts more pressure on the Gulf management and technical staff, as they seek to escape the danger zone in the standings, while Al-Ittihad continues its journey in the competition for the top of the league, benefiting from the stability of its technical results.