Al-Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez addressed the media on Wednesday and stressed on the importance of the upcoming game against Al-Nassr, in the sixth and final round of the 2021 AFC Champions League group stage.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Xavi said: “It’s another final for us and we have to win it. It’s a very important match for us, to ensure top spot in the group and to qualify for the next stage.”
He added: “We have to play very competitively in order to win the three points. We are facing a very strong Al-Nassr team, who reached the semifinals of the tournament last season. Therefore, the match will be very strong and competitive.”
“Al-Nassr suffered a loss in the last match against Al-Wehdat, and we must be fully prepared to face them because they will be seeking to win, and we too will looking for the same.”
Regarding the pressure on the Al-Sadd team before the last group game, the coach said: “Our team always plays under pressure. Our goal is to play well and the pressure will be on both teams and we will not feel the pressure if we play well. We must have an excellent mentality in terms of patience and endurance, and we will go into the game as if it’s a final.”
Asked about the team’s absentees in the next match, Xavi said: “We only have Pedro who is absent due to the accumulation of cards, and there is also Akram Afif who has been absent from the team since the start of the tournament due to injury.”
Xavi concluded by saying: “We are completely ready for the match, and the team is improving from one match to another, throughout the tournament. A strong and crucial match awaits us against Al-Nassr, and we will go into it in order to achieve victory, and to achieve the qualification for the Round of 16.”
