Al Duhail coach Walid Regragui spoke to the media ahead of their 2020-21 season QNB Stars League Week 1 match against Umm Salal.

“We are going to have a difficult match against Umm Salal, whom we faced when the league resumed last season with Week 18. That game was difficult and ended in a 1-1 draw. This time, we will fight without any pressure, as happened in the previous match.

“Edmilson Junior, Mehdi Benatia and Karim Boudiaf are nursing injuries and we do not know how ready they will be for this match. So is Yousef Msakni and we do not want to risk any player. This match may be an opportunity for some other players as we have proved in many games.

“We are the team that all sides are looking to beat because we are the reigning champions, but we have to play the match with the aim of achieving victory without considering the injuries and making excuses. The players have to give off what is required of them and it may also be a test for the group as a whole.

“In the coming period, we will play in the AFC Champions League. There will be a match every three days and the players will certainly be exhausted, so we must be prepared for all possibilities,” said Regragui.

Al Duhail player Ali Afif said, “Our previous match against Umm Salal was difficult and we ended up losing two points as a result of a draw. But the big motivation we received from our team management enabled us to lift the league shield despite the difficulties.

“Absences will affect the team, no doubt about it, we will give off our best. We will play the match aggressively because we want to retain the title and we must focus from the first week.”