Riyad Mahrez struggles with coach’s instructions in Al Ahli’s defeat to Pyramids FC

Riyad Mahrez was left confused on the pitch as Al Ahli Jeddah slipped to a 3-1 defeat against Pyramids FC in the Intercontinental Club Cup on Tuesday night.

The Algerian star, known for his sharp play, found himself caught in an unusual moment that quickly became the talking point of the match.

Late in the game, Mahrez received a paper with tactical instructions from his German coach Matthias Jaissle. Instead of acting on it immediately, he stood reading for over a minute, clearly uncertain about the message, before walking back to his coach for clarity. The scene drew mixed reactions from fans and pundits who questioned the team’s communication under pressure.

Saudi media personality Khaled Al-Shenaif remarked: “Mahrez spent more than a minute and a half reading the paper. This is not normal. He should have spoken to him face-to-face, given the difficulty of the match.”

Saudi coach Khaled Al-Atwi added: “I can’t find an explanation for this. Instructions are supposed to be simple and clear.”

Former Saudi star Ahmed Ateef concluded: “What happened demonstrates the coach’s lack of resourcefulness.”