The coach of Al-Ittifaq team, Uruguayan Paulo Montero, confirmed that the addition of former UAE national team striker Ahmed Khalil represents an important addition to the team during the crucial stage of the season. Montero told «Al Ittihad»: «Ahmed Khalil's talent is clear to everyone, and at the moment we are working to get him to the best possible physical condition during the remaining matches of the UAE First Division League». Montero explained that his focus since taking over the team has been on getting to know the players and their football culture, and trying to understand their technical characteristics in order to prepare them to apply his technical ideas. He added: «The first thing I insisted on is trying to get to know the players and their culture, because we arrived at an important time for the team». He added: «My first thought was to understand the characteristics of the players, and during this period work to put them in the best possible conditions to express themselves according to my technical ideas». He continued: «It is still too early to make a comprehensive evaluation of the team, but my goal remains to achieve the mission I came for, which is to prepare the team and ensure survival in the First Division». Al-Ittifaq is currently in the last position in the league with 9 points, and the team is seeking to improve its results in the upcoming rounds to guarantee survival in the First Division and continue competing in the next season. The team faces important and difficult matches against Al-Khaleej, Al-Dhaid, City, Majd, Al-Jazira Al-Hamra, Fujairah, Hatta, Dibba Al-Hisn, Emirates, United, and Gulf United until the end of the season. The Uruguayan coach pointed out that his first technical priority is to give the team more defensive solidity. He said: «We seek to give the team more defensive solidity, and find a greater degree of stability in all stages of play». He added: «I rely on all the elements of the team, because football is a team game, and good collective organization can enhance our individual capabilities». The coach affirmed his confidence in the team's ability to achieve its goal, saying: «I believe we have good opportunities to achieve our goals, so we are preparing in the best possible way, and with everyone's cooperation we will be able to overcome this stage».
