Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese head coach of Al-Nassr, addressed the media ahead of the much-anticipated match against Al-Qadsiah, sharing insights into the condition of French defender Mohamed Simakan and opinions concerning the upcoming winter transfer market. The match is set to take place at the “Al-Ol Park” stadium on Thursday evening, as part of the 14th round of the Roshn Saudi Professional League, with Al-Nassr aiming for a strong return to form.
During the press conference, Jesus stated that the clash against Al-Qadsiah is expected to be a challenging encounter, highlighting the opposing team’s quality players and competitive structure. He pointed out that preparations for this match have improved compared to previous games, with the team completing three full training sessions after a stint of limited practice time.
Jesus confirmed that Simakan has fully recovered from his injury and resumed training, although he still needs to work on his physical fitness. Consequently, Simakan will miss the Al-Qadsiah match but is expected to be fit for the upcoming game against Al-Hilal.
The coach also voiced his concerns regarding the pressure of the match schedule, expressing his surprise at the decision not to postpone the Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ahli match, which he believed adversely impacted his team’s performance in the recent Clasico. He noted that Al-Ahli’s players appeared to have the upper hand in terms of fitness during that match, which he attributed as a significant factor for their defeat, overshadowing tactical and technical considerations.
Looking forward, Jesus emphasized that the team is currently in a stable health situation and acknowledged the challenges of strengthening the squad during the winter transfer period. He remarked that if no acquisitions are possible, Al-Nassr will honorably continue competing with their existing roster. This commitment to perseverance reflects the team’s resilience and dedication to staying competitive in the league.