Al Riyadh coach Mauricio Dullac blames lack of focus for 11 goals conceded

Al Riyadh coach Mauricio Dullac says his side’s defensive problems are the result of lapses in concentration rather than poor organisation, after conceding 11 goals in their opening three Saudi Pro League matches.

Dullac spoke after Al Riyadh drew 3-3 with Al Shabab in the third round of the league, a match in which Egypt international Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” scored his first goal for the Saudi club and also provided an assist.

Despite Al Riyadh’s difficult start to the season, Dullac said he was proud of the character his players displayed and believed they deserved to claim all three points.

“I am very proud of my team and every player in the team, both on and off the pitch. We showed good character and deserved to win,” Dullac said in comments reported by Asharq Al-Awsat.

The result gave Al Riyadh their first point of the campaign, following defeats in their opening two fixtures. They lost 4-2 to Al Ettifaq before being beaten 4-0 by Al Nassr.

Al Riyadh have now conceded 11 goals across those three matches, but Dullac rejected the suggestion that the total reflected a fundamental weakness in the team’s defensive structure.

“We conceded some goals because of a lack of concentration and mistakes that happen in football, and that is the problem I have to solve,” he said.

“The goals we conceded were not because of defensive weakness, but because of the players’ lack of concentration. The problem I have to solve is the players’ concentration during the match.”

Dullac also explained the decision to replace Anthony during the game, saying the substitution was made at the player’s request.

“The player Anthony asked to be substituted,” said the Al Riyadh manager.

Trezeguet’s contribution was one of the positives for Al Riyadh as they fought back in an eventful match against Al Shabab. The Egypt international opened his account for the club and created another goal, although his efforts were not enough to secure a first victory of the season.

Dullac said his reference to character was not aimed at an individual player but at the collective mentality he wants Al Riyadh to develop.

“When I spoke about character, I meant the character of the team, and that is the character I want,” he added.

The draw leaves Al Riyadh still searching for their first win of the Saudi Pro League season, while Dullac’s immediate priority is to improve the concentration levels that he believes have contributed to the side’s high number of goals conceded.