Al Jazira coach Walter Zenga islooking forward to returning to the Al Maktoum Stadium on Thursday evening, but his Al Nasr successor, Ivan Jovanovic, will not be offered a warm greeting.
Jovanovic and Zenga were involved in an altercation in Nasr’s 2-1 win at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium last November in which the Italian alleges the Serbian offended his family.
“I don’t like to talk about him, it’s out of my mind, out of my life,” Zenga said. “I cannot accept anyone insulting my family.”
Jazira’s 4-4 draw with neighbours Al Wahda last Saturday has left them 11 points behind leaders Al Ahli with just six games to go with no real chance of landing a second UAE league title.
But there is still plenty to play for though as a win would strengthen the visitors’ grip on a top three place, and qualification for the 2015 AFC Champions League.
Defeat would give their hosts – who currently sit fifth, sixth points behind the Abu Dhabi club – renewed hope.
“We know that Nasr are a good organised team. They have quality players like Habib Fardan and Leo Lima,” Zenga added. “They also have some young players like (Ahmed) Shambieh and Khaleefa Mubarak who played for the first time under me.”
In the day’s other games, eighth placed Al Ain take on Emirates, who are hovering near the relegation zone, while league leaders Al Ahli welcome Sharjah, who are just two points below Al Jazira in fourth. In a late game, Shaab take on Bani Yas
