Coach Eric Gerets has insisted he is the right man to correct Al Jazira’s defensive woes ahead of today’s (Thursday) mouth-watering Arabian Gulf League clash with Al Nasr.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi boast the top-flight’s most lethal attack with 17 goals scored, but only bottom-placed Ittihad Kalba have conceded more.
This dichotomy was on show last Saturday when they fell to a disappointing 4-2 defeat to champions Al Ahli. Another sizeable challenge comes tonight at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium against fellow high-flyers who possess the best defensive record in the top flight and most recently thrashed Fujairah 5-1 thanks to a hat-trick from striker Ibrahima Toure.
“The lesson we were taught by Al Ahli was very hard, but playing another game in the same week gives an ideal chance to get back on the right track against Al Nasr,” Gerets said. “I’ve been through situations like this during my coaching career and of course I know how to deal with it.”
The Blue Wave have enjoyed an excellent start, rebounding from the summer loss of star midfielder Habib Fardan to Ahli and the early-season suspension of Toure.
Coach Ivan Jovanovic insisted he will need his charges to “play a perfect game” to see off Jazira.
He said: “I believe it will be more difficult for us because when a big team loses, like Al Jazira did against Al Ahli, they will be looking to bounce back straight away in their next game.
“There are not many secrets between the two teams, perhaps we have to play a perfect game in order to win.”
