The results achieved by Dibba's team in the first round of the ADNOC Pro League reflect the need for significant efforts in the upcoming phase, whether during the current winter transfer window or through technical and administrative work, to maintain their hopes of staying among the top teams for a new season. This came after the team finished the first round in the second-to-last place with nine points, showing a clear weakness in scoring goals (12 goals), while conceding 27 times, including a heavy 7-0 loss to Shabab Al Ahli at the end of the first stage of the competitions. "Emirates Today" reviews six indicators that Dibba's team needs to address objectively and accurately to ensure they remain in the fight for survival or move to a safe zone, especially with 13 matches left until the end of the league. Large spaces in defense Dibba's team needs to play with clear technical realism by properly evaluating the opposing team and developing a game plan that suits their capabilities compared to the opponent's, to avoid heavy results, as happened in the match against Shabab Al Ahli, where large spaces were left that the opponent exploited. Card disruption The current situation requires clear administrative efforts to guide players to act with more discipline and commitment during matches, to avoid receiving yellow and red cards that disrupt technical plans, as happened in important matches, most notably playing one match with only eight players and the absence of the team's star, Mahmoud Ali, against Shabab Al Ahli, in addition to similar cases in previous matches. Defensive style Dibba's team needs a more professional defensive line by applying tactical schemes that contribute to strengthening it and moving away from the method of clustering in front of the goal, which was applied in many matches, and despite that, their goal was breached 27 times. This comes through better technical utilization by the coach, along with administrative efforts that help raise the level of focus. Single attacking style Dibba's team played most of the first round with a single attacking style, relying on counter-attacks, benefiting from the capabilities of Iraqi striker Mahmoud Ali and Brazilian playmaker Simon Cabral. However, this style has become exposed to other teams' coaches, which requires diversifying attacking solutions. Bench Dibba needs to strengthen the bench and diversify their options better than the current situation, especially at the left and right back positions, and finding impactful substitutes in the attacking line to avoid emergency situations. Matches and points Dibba is set to face four difficult matches in a row, starting with a match against Al Wahda, which they will play without two of their key players: Brazilian defender Igor de Souza and his compatriot Simon in attack, followed by direct matches with their competitors Bani Yas and Kalba, then Al Nasr. The team will be required to win valuable points from these four matches to boost their survival hopes.
