Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu has said his team will have to set some priorities for their looming packed schedule this month, but midfielder Majed Hassan insists the players can focus on all fronts.
The Red Knights have played six games in the past 20 days and were clearly fatigued during their 0-0 draw against Sepahan in the AFC Champions League action at the Rashid Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Arabian Gulf League leaders are playing on four fronts, domestically and on the continental level, and with the scheduling not working in favour of the UAE teams competing in the ChampionsLeague, Romanian Olaroiu believes something’s got to give.
But 21-year-old Hassan is choosing to remain optimistic although he admits the players are both mentally and physically spent at the moment.
“Of course fatigue has affected us. We put in a decent second half against Sepahan, but the back-to-back matches in the domestic league, the Champions League and the Cup have caught up with us a little bit,” Hassan told Sport360°.
“We played with 10 men for 70 minutes against Sharjah in the previous game. Mentally, we’re also a bit fatigued because of the pressure of the schedule.
“We are leading the domestic league and we are top of the group in the Champions League and we’re in both Cup finals.”
Following the Sepahan match, Olaroiu said he would discuss the team’s priorities with the board and management.
“It’s not my club, I don’t make such decisions,” he added. “We have to be very clear, think very well and make wise decisions.”
