Video: Al-Attawi Tackles the Tough Question — Why Did Al-Nassr Slip After the First 10 Rounds?
18 January 2026
Context: Early-season promise vs. current slump
Former Al-Ettifaq coach Khaled Al-Attawi explains why Al-Nassr's form has dipped recently, despite a strong start that had them winning the first 10 rounds of the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Nassr regained momentum with a 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab on Saturday at Mrsool Park, in round 16 of the competition.
In an interview on the show, Al-Attawi said: to be realistic, we must recognize that the opponents at the start of the season were different from those they face now after mid-season.
Guesswork, balance, and what to tweak
He noted that teams did not complete their preparation as well as Al-Nassr did under coach Jorge Jesus, who prioritizes a thorough pre-season and starts the league in optimal form.
He added that a coach must be rational and pragmatic in responding to both his own players and the rival team.
For example, in the match against Al-Shabab, Al-Nassr lost Marcelo Brozovic's services, and the team needed balance.
He continued: Al-Nassr began with Wesley and Kingsley Coman on the wings, both capable of individual moments, but balance in midfield was missing. Starting with Abdullah Al-Khibrri and Ali Al-Hassan would have created midfield balance and given more freedom to attackers like Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix, Angelo, or Kingsley Coman.
He concluded: Jesus's lack of trust in Saudi players is a recurring theme; he should trust his players because they have the potential.
And if you were hoping for a crisp tactical revolution, remember: even a smart plan needs a well-oiled engine, not a squeaky bicycle chain.
