AFC Champions League: Al-Sadd hold main training session to prepare for Al-Ahli

The Al-Sadd football first team held their main training session from 6:30 PM on Saturday at the club’s training facility, as part of the preparations for the upcoming AFC Champions League Round of 16 first leg game against Al-Ahli. The game is set to be played on Monday, the 7th of May.

Al-Sadd reached the Round of 16 after finishing second in Group C with 12 points while Al-Ahli topped Group A with 14 points.

Jesualdo Ferreira’s side will look to clinch a win in the first leg at home before the second leg which will be played in Jeddah on May 14.

Saturday’s main session saw the Al-Sadd stars train intensely under the supervision of Ferreira and his staff, who worked on preparing the team and selection their options for the starting lineup. The coaching staff focused on shooting and movement drills.

Ferreira also held a talk with the players before the session, speaking to them about the key objectives which the team will look to accomplish in the game against Al-Ahli.

Goalkeeping coach Luca Squinzani worked with the four goalkeepers (Saad Al-Dosari, Meshaal Barsham, Jehad Mohammed, Saoud Al-Hajri) and focused on training them with crosses and reaction practice.

Support from the management

Al-Sadd management officials led by head of football Mohammed Ghanem Al-Ali attended the session to show their support for the Wolves before the big game.

Hamroun and Asad miss out due to injury

Al-Sadd will miss the services of Jugurtha Hamroun and Ali Asad in the game against Al-Ahli due to injury. Hamroun is suffering from a knee injury while Ali Asad’s season has ended due to a muscle injury.

Pedro suspended

Al-Sadd defender Pedro Miguel will also miss out after picking up his second yellow card in the game against Persepolis, resulting in an automatic suspension.

Xavi and Bounedjah return

The match will see the return to action of Xavi and Baghdad Bounedjah, who missed the last game in the Emir’s Cup due to suspension.

Press conference and technical meeting

The pre-match press conference will be held from 5:30 PM on Sunday at the club’s conference hall while the technical meeting will be held from 5 PM in the grand hall.

Media coverage

The main training session on Saturday was also attended by mediapersons from Al-Kass Channel and BeIN Sports, and reporters from local newspapers who covered the session and conducted interviews with players and staff.

Final session and squad list

The team will hold the final training session from Sunday at the club’s training facility, after which the coaching staff will announce the squad list for the game.