Al Gharafa coach Andrea Stramaccioni spoke to the media ahead of their 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League Week 2 match against Al Ahli.

“I am happy with the good start we had against Al Shamal in the first round. It was important to win the last match. We know that the league will not be easy and we must continue to work hard to avoid making mistakes that occurred in the previous match.

“It will be a difficult match because Al Ahli are a strong and well co-ordinated team. They have a distinguished defence led by Iranian Hussein Kanaani. Al Ahli have three international players in the middle. It will be a different team compared to what we faced when we played against Al Shamal. We have to continue our work with the same seriousness and build a good team to achieve positive results,” said Al Gharafa coach Stramaccioni.

Al Gharafa player Tamim Al Muhaza said, “Our victory over Al Shamal was a good step for the players in the opening round. The points we picked up against Al Shamal will be a strong motivation for the players to achieve victory over Al Ahli also. We want to be strong and achieve more positive results.

“We, as players, have to adapt to any way of playing and adhere to implementing the coach’s instructions every game. This is what is required of us as players. The match against Al Ahli will be difficult, but our target is to get the three points.”