Al Nasr boss Ivan Jovanovic has declared he is not feeling worried about his position despite Tuesday’s AFC Champions League return with Sepahan coming amid a nightmare run.
A double from Brazilian striker Chimba saw the Persian Gulf Pro League champions claim a fully merited 2-0 victory in last week’s Group A opener. This result is one of four defeats suffered by the deposed President’s Cup holders in their last six matches.
Another reversal at Al Maktoum Stadium to the Iranians will only increase the disquiet, though the 53-year-old remained steadfast when quizzed about job security.
He said: “If your question is whether I am under pressure because of results, then every coach who doesn’t have good results is under pressure. But if you mean I feel pressure about my positon as Al Nasr coach, I do not have this problem and I do not feel like this.
“When one team doesn’t have good results, you can find 1,000 reasons to criticise everyone.
“But what is important for me is that I work with good players and good guys, which I believe in.
“This is my team, I work with them. If anyone has responsibilities about the team, it is me.”
Sharjah inflicted an embarrassing 5-4 loss on Saturday to see the Blue Wave’s defence of the UAE’s premier cup competition end in the first round.
This means only a top-three finish in the Arabian Gulf League is likely to secure ACL football again next term, a position they are clinging on to after fourth-placed Al Wasl drew level with them on 33 points.
“Of course, we are at a time where our team does not have good results,” Jovanovic continued.
“This can happen in football.
“We need to believe we are a good team and fight back.
“It is not only good results which make a good team. Also, when bad results happen it is about how teams can respond and come back from these results.”
Contrasting emotions can be found in the Sepahan camp. Former Derby County and West Ham United defender Igor Stimac’s team snapped an 11-match winless spell last week when the sides met at Fooladshahr Stadium.
Despite the differences in form, the Croatian coach warned of a Blue Wave backlash if their “world class players” are shown too much respect.
He said: “We are not building up too many positives from the results of Al Nasr.
“We know Nasr are very serious opponent, who are a very well organised club with good players.
“(Nasr) receiving five goals at the weekend will not take us in the wrong direction. This game will be totally different.
“Nasr have world-class players in their team. Give them time and space, you will be hurt.
“We need to be very organised, as we were in the first game and work as a team. And that is what we are working on.”
One of those “world-class players” who will be unavailable is Chile playmaker Luis Jimenez, who is expected to miss the next few weeks with a hamstring complaint.
Team-mate and recent UAE callup Ahmed Al Yassi was focused on gaining a vital victory in Dubai.
“The upcoming match is a new challenge for us,” the right-back said. “We know Sepahan has three
points and (Group A rivals) Al Ittihad and Lokomotiv Tashkent have one point.
“Winning this game will help us to get out of the group stage. Only a win will be our target in this match.
