Crespo’s history against Al Sadd supports Al Ain’s chances

Al Ain fans hope that Argentine coach Hernan Crespo’s prior knowledge of the Qatari Al Sadd team and his superiority over them in the confrontations that brought them together when he was coach of Al Duhail will play a decisive role in enhancing the “Boss’” chances during the anticipated confrontation between them tomorrow at the beginning of the two teams’ journey in the AFC Champions League for elite football, noting that Crespo had faced Al Sadd in four confrontations, winning two matches, drawing one and losing one.

The Argentine coach’s journey began with Al-Duhail of Qatar on March 24, 2022, and continued until October 11, 2023. During this period, he supervised 49 matches in all local and Asian competitions, achieving victory in 35, drawing in six, and losing in eight matches. During his short career, he achieved the treble by winning the league title, the Qatar Cup, and the Stars League Cup, while he bid farewell to the Emir of Qatar Cup.

During his career with Al Duhail, Hernan Crespo met Al Sadd in four matches, starting with the tenth round of the Qatar Stars League on March 12, 2023, which ended in a 2-2 draw, while he won 3-1 in the same month in the semi-finals of the Qatar Stars Cup, which he later won the title. The confrontations were renewed in the Qatar Cup final, which Crespo won 2-0 on April 6 of the same year, before suffering his only loss 1-3 in the 21st round of the league championship, noting that the defeat was not influential as he later won the title.

There was not much change in Al Sadd’s starting line-up that faced Crespo, as six players are still present, led by team captain Hassan Al-Haydos, striker Akram Afif, along with midfielder Mohammed Waad, in addition to the defensive trio of Musab Khader, Tariq Salman and Paulo Otavio.

It is noteworthy that three historic matches had brought together Al Ain and Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League, as “Al Zaeem” won the first match 2-0, the second ended in a 3-3 draw, while the Qatari team won the third match 4-0.

• The Argentine coach faced Al Sadd 4 times, won 2 matches, drew once, and lost once.

Al-Sadd lineup

■ The guard: Saad Al-Shaib.

■ Defense: Mosaab Khader, Ahmed Suhail, Tariq Salman, and Paolo Otavio.

■ Midfield: Mateus Uribe, Mohammed Waad, Giovanni Silva, and Hassan Al-Haydos.

■ Attack: Akram Afif and Rafa Mugica.

Crespo’s confrontations against Al Sadd

March 12, 2023: (Qatar Stars League Round 10) 2-2.

March 23, 2023: (Qatar Stars Cup semi-final) 3-1.

April 6, 2023: (Qatar Cup Final) 2-0.

May 4, 2023: (Qatar Stars League Round 21) 1-3.