Pusic calls Al-Ahli’s last two matches ‘unlucky’ after Al-Hilal rout

Marino Pusic has described Al-Ahli’s last two matches as “unlucky” after his side were beaten 3-0 by Al-Hilal, prompting questions over whether the Dutchman was playing down the scale of the defeat.

Pusic was speaking publicly for the first time about Tuesday’s Saudi Clasico loss at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. The match was a rearranged fixture from the third round of the Roshn Saudi League and saw Al-Hilal claim a convincing victory over their traditional rivals.

The Al-Ahli head coach did not attend the post-match news conference after the game because his interpreter had been sent off during the match and no replacement was available.

He returned to media duties on Thursday ahead of Al-Ahli’s home meeting with Al-Riyadh on Friday. The match will be played at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah as part of the fifth round of the Roshn Saudi League.

Speaking in comments published by Al-Ahli’s official account on X, Pusic said: “We were unlucky in the last two matches, especially as they were both away from home, and now we have to get past that and focus on the next stage.”

Al-Ahli had also been beaten in their previous away fixture, although the coach did not provide further details in his comments about the two games he referenced.

Pusic said the immediate challenge would be to respond against Al-Riyadh, adding: “Tomorrow’s match is difficult, and the league requires a high level of concentration in every game, so we have to be ready and deal with the match in the right way.”

The former coach also highlighted the importance of playing in front of Al-Ahli’s supporters.

“We are playing at home and among our fans, and this gives us extra motivation,” he said. “We aim to make use of this advantage to achieve victory.”

Al-Ahli’s preparation has come during a congested period of fixtures, an issue Pusic said required careful management.

“The succession of matches makes the schedule crowded, so it is important to deal with it well,” he said.

He also pointed to the work being done to improve the squad, saying: “We work every day to develop the team in different areas, and we focus on the details that help us produce a better level.”

The manager added that newly recruited players would need time to settle into the team. “The new players need some time to adapt, and at the same time we are keen to ensure everyone is ready and safe, taking into account that the number of foreign players allowed to participate in the league is eight,” he said.

Al-Ahli will now attempt to recover from the heavy defeat against Al-Hilal when they host Al-Riyadh on Friday. Pusic’s comments focused on moving forward, home advantage and managing the squad as Al-Ahli seek a response in the Roshn Saudi League.