Zenga: Jazira’s structure all wrong

Walter Zenga 01:43 19/04/2015
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  • Thumping at home: Jazira (r) lost 4-2 to Bani Yas on Friday.

    Mabrook and congratulations to new Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ain. But we knew this would happen already. For me though, it was second-placed Al Jazira who lost this trophy.

    They had no AFC Champions League to contend with, they were without stress. For Al Ain, they have had to travel for games in that competition. It is very tiring. So in my humble opinion, what has happened in recent weeks is totally inverse. 

    When you analyse the standings, Al Ain are clear by 10 points and ahead of second-placed Jazira on goal difference by 23. This is a huge gap between title chasers. Yet, so much was in the Pride of Abu Dhabi’s favour.

    Friday night’s 4-2 defeat to Bani Yas was a microcosm of their season. The Sky Blues were very good, but the goals Jazira gave away were so bad. They have the fifth-worst defensive record and that is not good enough for title challengers.

    It is so easy to just point the finger at the defence when you are conceding many goals. But it is the complete defensive style of Jazira, their structure and approach which is hurting them.

    Throughout the team, they are not contributing to an efficient defensive style. This has contributed to giving Al Ain a simple cycle at the end – they had only one real opponent for the title in Jazira and this made it easy for them.

    The Boss have improved an awful lot from last season, when they finished sixth. Their President’s Cup win saved that season, as well as their run to the AFC Champions League semi-finals. 

    I still remember my Jazira side’s round of 16 clash with them. At 1-0 ahead for so long during the second leg, anything could have happened.

    We have to see whether they can maintain their intensity and concentration for the next month before the next President’s Cup begins. If they don’t, this could provide an opportunity for Jazira and Al Ahli to take that trophy – saving their season in the process. 

    Elsewhere, Al Wasl keep drawing games 2-2. The result against Emirates Club added to ones already against Al Shabab and Bani Yas.

    You can look at their improvement with a glass half full, or be frustrated at what could have been. They must get back to winning ways soon.

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