Al-Sadd head coach Razvan Lucescu said the match against Saudi side Al-Ahli was evenly contested and difficult for both teams, noting that the Wolves delivered a good performance and came close to securing victory, but were unable to make the most of their chances.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Lucescu said: “It was an evenly contested match between the two teams. We had a good first half and followed the tactical approach we had prepared for the game. There were some changes in the flow of the match after the break, and we tried to get forward and threaten the opposition goal, but unfortunately we were unable to score.
“We have faced difficult matches against Saudi teams, who have players of high quality and ability. Nevertheless, we have not performed badly in these games. In fact, we were closer to scoring and securing victory against both Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ahli.
“Matches in the AFC Champions League Elite are always difficult and highly competitive. Teams aspiring to challenge for the title need thorough preparation and must be fully equipped to deal with the quality of their opponents and the demands of the competition.”
