Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez spoke to the media ahead of their 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League Week 7 match against Umm Salal.

“I asked the players to focus very much and enjoy the winning mentality. We are the favourites only on paper, but in reality the match will be very difficult.

“Umm Salal are a good team with a distinguished coach and foreign players, and there is no time to rest in view of the series of matches. We have an opportunity to move away in the lead and our goal is to win and gain three very important points, especially after the loss of second-placed Al Duhail to Al Wakrah.

“It will not be an easy match especially and everyone wants to defeat us. We must show our level again and we will keep rotating the players to face the pressure of the matches.

“We have just achieved a great success (Amir Cup), but we must maintain our level and mentality and not be affected by complacency. We should not commit any mistakes to continue victories in the league championship,” said Xavi.

Al Sadd player Musab Khader said, “Umm Salal match is important in the team’s march in the league.

“We will strive to win and continue victories, and despite the difficulty of the match against Umm Salal, we will continue to provide distinguished performances and achieve victory.

“Al Sadd are used to the pressure of matches and we will work to provide a strong performance against Umm Salal, who are not easy competitors. But we expect the match to be difficult, but we are ready for it.”