Zlatko Dalic has admitted concern over Al Ain’s leaky defence and bemoaned the approaching international break which will rob him of his entire backline.
The Boss opened their Arabian Gulf League title defence with a 3-1 win against Al Dhafra on Friday, but the Croatian boss was unhappy with his side’s performance despite victory.
In pre-season, Al Ain shipped 14 goals in six games, their only win coming in the 4-2 UAE Super Cup defeat of Al Nasr a week ago.
“We need to improve our last line, because last season we played fantastic in defence and took everything with our defence,” said the 48-year-old.
“We conceded in the last minute (against Dhafra) and it cannot be like this. We have to improve but I don’t know how and when.”
Al Ain conceded a miserly 19 goals last season as the AGL title returned to the Garden City after a 12-month absence.
Adding to Dalic’s concerns are the upcoming UAE internationals, where eight Al Ain players will be absent when the national team fly to play Myanmar in a friendly on August 2 ahead of their World Cup qualifiers next month.
– EPL: Impotent Man Utd labour to 0-0 Newcastle draw
– #360view: United need Rooney options to compete
– GALLERY: Eight players to snub United for Chelsea
– Keys & Gray: Premier League week 3 predictions
Six of the absentees include the club’s usual starting back five – goalkeeper Khalid Essa and defenders Mohammed Fawzi, Mohammed Ahmed, Muhanad Salem, Ismail Ahmed and Mohammed Fayez.
“How can we fix it when we don’t have the players?” asked Dalic.
“All the last line go with the national team. I can fix it only myself. We cannot fix it the next 15 days.”
Dalic was also forced to dismiss rumours in Turkish press linking Al Ain with a move for Fenerbahce forward Moussa Sow.
“I have also read this about Sow but I know nothing about the situation,” said Dalic. “We have now four foreign players, it cannot be five. This is my opinion. I also heard but I think it’s only for show or to improve his price.”
