Al-Sadd head coach Javi Gracia spoke of the readiness of his team ahead of the upcoming QNB Stars League Round 16 game against Al-Arabi.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Gracia said: “We have another match in a short period. I think all the players are ready to compete again.”
He added: “I know we are playing against a very good team – Al Arabi – which is in fifth place in the table at the moment. I also know it’s a derby and derbies are always different and special. So we are looking forward to competing again.”
As for the team’s performance in the previous game against Al-Shamal, the coach said: “I am very happy with the match we played. I’m really glad we did so many things so well.”
“We scored five goals and it is true that we conceded an own goal, but I am happy with the performance, like that of Mustafa, who scored the first goal of his career. We did a lot of different things very well.”
Asked about the players who have been missing from the team due to injury, Gracia said: “It’s been a long time waiting for some players who were injured before I joined the team. Now I have more options to choose from – maybe not right now, but I’m sure they’ll be ready in a short time.”
“For upcoming matches in February, March and April, it is important to get all these players back because to maintain our level, we need all of them fully fit.”
