Al-Sadd coach Roberto Mancini confirmed that his team is preparing for a difficult and strong clash against Al-Duhail in the semi-finals of the Amir Cup, stressing the importance of the match in the team’s journey towards winning the title.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Mancini explained that the team is suffering from fatigue due to the congested fixture schedule, but at the same time stressed that the players are ready for the challenge against one of the strongest teams in Qatar.
He said: “We will face one of the best teams in the country, and we know the match will not be easy at all.”
The Italian coach added that Al-Sadd’s objective at this stage is clear — to secure victory and continue the journey towards winning the title — noting that cup matches require extra concentration because they are knockout games.
He said: “Everyone enjoyed the goals in the previous match, but we analysed what happened and we are looking to avoid those mistakes. Our aim is to keep a clean sheet against a team with strong attacking power like Al-Duhail.”
Mancini stressed that cup matches are completely different from league encounters due to their decisive nature, adding that small details could determine the team that reaches the final.
He also called on Al-Sadd fans to support the team in this important encounter, stressing that their presence and backing would play a major role in motivating the players on the pitch.
Mancini expressed his hope of winning the Amir Cup title, describing it as one of the most prestigious competitions in Qatari football.
Meanwhile, Brazilian player Giovani Henrique admitted that the upcoming semi-final clash against Al-Duhail will be difficult, while also confirming Al-Sadd’s readiness for the challenge.
Henrique said that the team enters the match with great ambition despite the short recovery period, explaining: “We are ready to face Al-Duhail, even though we only had two days to recover after the recent match against Al-Shamal, which is a physical challenge. However, we are prepared to give our best.”
The Brazilian player stressed that Al-Sadd are aiming to win and reach the final, noting that the team has the necessary quality to achieve that objective.
He added: “Our goal is clear — to score goals and qualify for the final, and we believe in our ability to achieve that.”
Henrique concluded by reaffirming the team’s desire to win the Amir Cup and make Al-Sadd fans happy, stressing that the players will give everything they have to reach the final and continue their journey towards the trophy.
