Al Jazira will not be weakened by absences when they travel to Dubai on Thursday, according to coach Walter Zenga.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi have seen their Arabian Gulf League title challenge stall somewhat of late, taking only one point from their last two games, against Ajman and Al Dhafra.
And as they look to put their campaign back on track they will have to do so without three of their best players, as Abdelaziz Barrada, Ali Mabkhout and Khalid Sabeal are all suspended for the trip north.
“For me, the players that are out never affect the team because I fully trust my squad,” the 53-year-old Italian coach said. “I never talk or think like ‘oh my gosh, they are out what can I do’? Even if I have to play with six or seven younger players, no problem.”
With both Mabkhout and Barrada missing there will be an onus on January recruit Felipe Caicedo to break his Jazira duck against the league’s bottom club.
Dubai go into the game six points from safety, without a win since December 4 and the worst defence in the league, having conceded 49 goals in just 18 games.
Umberto Barberis’ side must start performing if they are going to avoid dropping down to the second tier after four consecutive seasons in the top flight.
