Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre spoke to the media ahead of their 2019-20 QNB Stars League Week 13 match against Al Gharafa.

“We go into this match with an opportunity to go top of the standings and thus stay strongly in contention for the title.

“The match against Al Gharafa is considered by us as one of the most important games this season. They are one of the best teams and we will bring out our best.

“I didn't see that there was any impact on my team after the loss against Al Sadd in the Qatar Cup semifinal. We have fully forgotten that game. It is now a thing of the past. Our focus is now on the Al Gharafa match and we have to remain like that if we are to get a positive result.

“This match has special importance, so we must be 100 per cent ready to win it.

“After this match, we will have an important fixture at the continental level. However, my focus is on the next game, which is against Al Gharafa. We realise that the coming period we have important local and continental competitions.”

“Regarding the talks that Al Rayyan depend only on Algerian star Yacine Brahimi, I do not think so. Al Rayyan are a collective unit that does not depend on one player. But Brahimi is a good player. He is the best player in the first division and we play as a team and as a group.”