DOHA: Al Sadd head coach Sergio Alegre is determined to guide his side back to winning ways when they take on Umm Salal on Saturday at Al Khor Club Stadium in Round 7 of the Doha Bank Stars League.
Alegre acknowledged the challenge ahead, praising Umm Salal’s solid campaign so far. “The match will certainly be tough. They have shown strong performances in all their games except the last one against Al Shamal. They have experienced players and a seasoned coach,” he said.
While admitting that Al Sadd are “not at their best right now,” the Spanish coach remains confident of a high-intensity contest. He stressed the importance of stepping up their performance levels to secure the much-needed three points.
Reflecting on their AFC Elite Champions League outing against Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia, Alegre expressed satisfaction despite the defeat, highlighting positive signs in the team’s overall display.
Meanwhile, Umm Salal’s coach Patrice Carteron embraced the challenge of facing one of the league’s strongest sides. “Of course, we can always perform better. But the goal is to stay in the league, and we can still achieve that right now,” he said. “I will do my utmost to help the club and the team reach this objective.”
With both managers determined and the stakes high, Saturday’s clash promises intensity and ambition on both sides.
