SPL: Conceicao Keeps Focus On Al Hilal Clash

Written By Jacobs Dunga

Sergio Conceicao is not looking beyond the upcoming giants clash against Al Hilal on Friday.

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Al Ittihad welcome Al Hilal to the Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Friday for a Saudi Pro League clash.

The two teams go head to head as early as the sixth week of the new season.

After the clash, Al Ittihad immediately face leaders Al Nassr on Tuesday, leaving the press to ask how the coach plans to manage his team.

“Now the focus is solely on facing Al-Hilal, then we’ll see afterward. Time is tight, and we need to prepare the team for the matches.”

Conceicao admitted he’s working on his players’ fitness as his style demands a lot of attention to energy levels.

“The fitness aspect is important to me because I work on high pressure and this is my playing style. We have a lot of work to do.” He said.

On what to expect: “‎I don’t have a magic wand. We were working to motivate the players to regain their levels and represent Al Ittihad‬⁩ in the best way.”

‎”There is no difference between a local player and a foreign one, and the equipment will always play.”

‎”Ambition is important and the fight for the team, and this is something the players understand well.”

He also had reserved praise for the Tigers’ fans. “Full thanks to Al Ittihad fans. ‎I was following many matches and know the fan base and saw the love that the fans give to the players.”

‎”Fans who do everything for the club, I worked in Europe and the advantage of the teams I coached was the fans’ love and the strength in cheering, and by coincidence I came to a club in Saudi Arabia that has the same advantage.”

There was some relief on the injury front as the coach sounded optimistic when asked about inured duo Benzema and Bergwijn.

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“The participation of the duo Benzema & Bergwijn in the match against Al Hilal will be determined in the final training sessions.”

On their opponents: “Al-Hilal is a strong team and they have a capable coach [Inzaghi]. And we have great, world-class players and we are ready.” Concluded the Portuguese as he left the press room.

Conceicao comes up against familiar face in Simone Inzaghi whom he faced in the Milan Derby in Italy after having shared the same dressing room while playing for Lazio.

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