Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Matthias Jaissle, the German coach of Al-Ahli, expressed his astonishment at the team's unexpected exit from the King's Cup after a 2-1 loss to Abha in the Round of 16.

At a press conference held in Jeddah after the match, Jaissle remarked, "It was a challenging match. I'm taken aback by the final result. Despite dominating the first half, we failed to create sufficient chances. In the second half, even with their red card, our missed opportunities were evident."

Jaissle highlighted defensive lapses in Abha's first goal, stating, "Unfortunately, our defensive performance was lacking as a team. They secured a corner seemingly out of nowhere, and subsequent defensive lapses resulted in a second goal."

Addressing the team's failure to capitalize on Abha's numerical disadvantage, Jaissle commented, "After the red card incident, our positioning was solid. Ibañez consistently moved up, and we adopted a back-three formation, but we couldn't capitalize on the advantage."

On the tactical decision to position Firmino in the number 10 role, Jaissle explained, "Firmino is accustomed to this position, having played there before. We placed Feras Al-Brikan as the main striker to expedite the conclusion of the match."

Providing an update on Kessie's injury, Jaissle stated, "I don't have specific details on Kessie's injury, and I hope it's not severe. He is undergoing the necessary treatment. Our players are monitored daily, and they are prepared for any upcoming matches without the need for additional rest."

In response to questions about fan dissatisfaction, especially the jeers directed toward him and the players, Jaissle concluded, "When I hear jeers, it's never a positive experience. I value our fans and understand their frustration. I appeal to them for continued support and trust until the end."