Al Rayyan players take part in a training session.
Doha, Qatar: Al Ahli Saudi FC will start as firm favourites against Al Rayyan when the two sides face off in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 tie at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium tonight. However, Al Rayyan coach Artur Jorge doesn’t share that view, insisting his team has an equal chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.
Al Ahli made an impressive run in the league stage, finishing behind West League leaders Al Hilal only on goal difference, with seven wins and one draw.
In contrast, Al Rayyan fought hard to advance, securing seventh place with two wins and two draws. The Lions were defeated 1-2 by their Saudi Arabian rivals in the league stage last October – their third straight loss against Al Ahli in league stage of the competition.
However, Jorge remains optimistic about his team’s chances in the two-legged knockout tie.
Al Rayyan coach Artur Jorge
“Although Al Rayyan suffered a defeat against Al Ahli in the league, this match will be different, with its own set of dynamics. Both teams have an equal chance to qualify for the quarter-finals,” Jorge said in a press conference yesterday.
“Our preparations for this match have gone smoothly, and we are fully ready for the anticipated challenge. We are entering the match with strong motivation to secure a positive result that will make our task easier in the second leg.”
“In such matches, the smallest details often decide the outcome, which is why we’ve focused on maintaining concentration during recent training sessions,” he added.
Al Ahli boast star players like Riyad Mahrez, who is in exceptional form, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in the competition so far.
Al Rayyan forward Adam Bareiro is fully aware of the tough challenge ahead but remains confident of a strong performance.
“There’s no doubt that this will be a tough match as we’re up against a strong opponent with several top players in their squad. Knockout matches bring their own set of challenges, and our focus is now on the first leg, where we aim to achieve a positive result that will make the second leg more manageable. We need to remain focused, both defensively and offensively,” said the Paraguayan, urging fans to support the team in the home game.
“Our goal is to keep progressing in this tournament as it moves into the knockout stages. We are counting on the support of our fans to help push the team toward the result everyone is hoping for.”
Al Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum in the knockout stage.
“We achieved solid results during the league stage and our journey has been satisfying so far. Now, we’re entering a different phase that demands we play with the same drive to continue our pursuit of our goal,” said the German tactician.
“We are motivated to secure the result we need, which will bring us one step closer to the quarter-finals. To achieve that, we must give our best in the first match against Al Rayyan, a team with high quality and plenty of motivation to win.”
Al Ahli midfielder Gabri Veiga added, “The knockout stages bring a different kind of challenge, and we need to show a strong fighting spirit throughout the entire match.”
The match will kick off at 9pm, while the second leg will take place at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on March 11.
