Al Ahli coach Igor Biscan spoke to the media ahead of their 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League Week 14 match against Al Khor.

“We suffered our second loss in the league this season. As a coach, I am focusing on the team being at their best physical and technical levels in the upcoming match. It may be noted that the team did not provide the performance that would guarantee it point in the last match, but I will work to make Al Ahli stand out against Al Khor.

“Al Khor are showing strong levels and facing them requires a lot of focus from the players. I followed Al Khor’s matches and the great development in their level and the capabilities that the team has as players, so we must be more focused on the good performance and the distinguished level that Al Ahli are known for this season.

“I do not agree with the opinion (absence of German star Draxler) that attributes the poor performance and loss to the absence of one player. It is true that Draxler is a very important player in the team and he is one of the best players in the league, but as a coach I look at the team’s system on the field. It was not at a good level and the team did not provide the required level in that match. Also, the team has previously played more than one match without Draxler and we came out with the three points, so his absence is not the reason for the shaky performance against Al Gharafa. I do not consider the team to be one player but rather an integrated work system with more than one player each playing his role,” said Biscan.

Al Ahli player Islam Al Sharif said, “We did not appear at our usual level in the last round and lost to Al Gharafa and that we as players are not satisfied with our level and realize the importance of a quick return to performance and good results.

“We will put in more efforts in the next round and the one that follows, especially since the players have presented distinguished levels this season with determination, persistence and the desire to win, so the promise will be against Al Khor in the next round.

“Draxler is one of the best players in the league this season and has a great impact on the team’s form on the field, but his absence is not a direct cause of the last loss. We appreciate the feelings of our fans and understand that their frustration is natural over the result. We will make every effort to win the next match and make up for the loss.”