Jesus Responds: Did Al Nassr Push Back on the Schedule?

What Jesus Said After the Win

The Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, head coach of Al Nassr, addressed questions about whether the club objected to its congested calendar amid a heavy run of fixtures.

Al Nassr advanced to the quarterfinals of Asian Champions League 2 by beating Arcadage 1-0 on Wednesday, mirroring the result of the first leg.

In the post-match press conference, Jesus highlighted two goals: firstly, to secure qualification to the next round; secondly, to give as many players as possible a chance, with Abdulrahman Ghareeb particularly standing out.

Schedule, Injuries, and the Path Forward

He noted that the league is long and that readiness across a larger squad is essential, as injuries, suspensions, and fatigue affect performance.

The coach pointed to a nine-match run without conceding, praising the players' commitment and the defense's organization, while underscoring aims in both the domestic league and Asia 2.

“We are competing in two competitions; our aim is to win both with maximum effort,” he said, adding that any objections to the schedule are administrative and not his concern as coach.

He lamented the desire for a bigger crowd, contrasting his wish for broader support with the capacity crowds seen by the opposition.

Jesus concluded by praising the squad's quality and expressing confidence that Al Nassr, with its strong fan base, will benefit in upcoming clashes.

Punchline 1: If calendars could be coached, they'd go to extra time just for the fun of it.

Punchline 2: And for those who complain about the schedule, tell them: even our coffee breaks have a game plan.