Doha, 11 January 2021 - Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez spoke to the media ahead of their 2020-21 season QNB Stars League Week 14 match against Al Duhail.
“We have the opportunity to increase the difference and if we win this competition, the probability of winning it is very high. So this confrontation is a final for us. We are playing at our home and going through a very good period, and Al Duhail are also in a good period, so I think that everyone can watch a good game and see a great performance from both teams.
“We are now in the best position in the past years, we are at the top of the table by eight points ahead of Al Duhail, and that means a lot to us, and now we need to get three points in this match.
“Al Duhail are a team that has the mentality of winning all the championships like Al Sadd, and this means that the match will be very difficult like the last matches we played against them and it was really difficult but Al Sadd were the best, and we have to continue this way, and we are mentally prepared to compete as always.
“On the participation of the players absent due to infection with the coronavirus, such as Akram Afif, Boualem Khoukhi and Hossam Kamal, and we will assess their condition, as they were in isolation for nearly two weeks and therefore we do not know if they are ready or not. We hope that they are in the team list in preparation for the match.
“We need the fans, they are doing really good work, and they have given us a lot of support in the past matches. We need them while we play at our stadium and have good moments, and I think they are having a lot of fun so we need them to face Al Duhail because it is a difficult match. For us, it is a final,” said Xavi.
Al Sadd player Santi Cazorla said, “The match will be difficult, especially as Al Duhail are going through a very good period, which requires them to prepare well.
“I am very happy to play here and I have a lot of fun in the team and the Qatar league is difficult. Al Sadd are in good shape and in a very good position in the table, but we must work and prepare well for each match.”
“Al Duhail changed some players, but I think they have good players such as Paolo Edmilson Junior, Dudu, Mehdi Benatia and Karim Boudiaf. They have great quality and the clash will be a very good test for us, especially since it is between the teams that are competing for the first place.”
