AFC Champions League: Al-Sadd hold main training session ahead of Sepahan clash

Al-Sadd held their main training session at the main pitch of the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday, in preparation for the upcoming clash with Iranian Sepahan, on Matchday 2 of the AFC Champions League 2020.

The Wolves will play their second Group D match, after earning a point with a 2-2 draw with Saudi side Al-Nassr in their first game, while Sepahan come into the game on the back of a 4-0 win away to Al Ain.

With a point in the bag, Al-Sadd will now look for their first three points with a victory at home.

During Sunday’s main training session, head coach Xavi Hernandez focused on choosing the lineup for the game. The coaching staff worked on specialized attacking tactics, and the movement of the players.

Al-Sadd will miss the services of midfield duo Ali Asad and Salem Al-Hajri against Sepahan, with both of them sustaining Achilles injuries that ruled them out for a lengthy period.

Forward Abdulaziz Al-Ansari was also ruled out of the upcoming game, due to an ankle injury he sustained against Qatar SC in the quarter-finals of the Ooredoo Cup.

Abdulkarim Hassan remains unavailable for selection in Al-Sadd’s AFC Champions League matches due to suspension, which ends after the next game against Al Ain on Matchday 3.

Before the start of Sunday’s session, the coaching staff met with the players in the mid-field circle to talk to them about the key technical details of the game and urge them to give their best performance.

Goalkeeping coach Xavi Fernando supervised intense training for the four goalkeepers Saad Al-Dosari, Meshaal Barsham, Jehad Muhammad and Youssef Abdullah, focusing on improving their movement, awareness and reactions.

The session was covered by various local media, including Al-Kass TV, beIN Sports and national newspapers.

Meanwhile, the pre-match press conference has been scheduled for 4:30 PM on Sunday at the club’s conference hall. It will be preceded by the technical coordination meeting which will start at 3:30 PM.