Al Ahli head coach Paulo Sousa emphasized the importance of the upcoming match against Tractor in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite, stating that the team is entering a crucial phase that requires the highest level of focus throughout the game. During the pre-match press conference, Paulo Sousa said that his team's goal is to impose their style of play and control the flow of the match, especially in the opponent's half, while maintaining defensive organization. He stressed that the match will not be easy due to the strength of the opponent. He added that the tight schedule between matches posed a significant challenge in preparation, but the coaching staff worked to prepare the players in the best possible way, confirming that the team has faced Tractor before and has good knowledge of their capabilities, especially in rapid transitions and counter-attacks. Al Ahli player Eid Khamis also highlighted the difficulty of the match, explaining that the knockout system increases the importance of the game with no chance for a second chance. Khamis confirmed that the team is well aware that a defeat means elimination from the tournament, which drives the players to fight for victory and advance to the next round, expressing his confidence in Al Ahli's ability to deliver their best performance and achieve the desired result. He concluded by confirming the team's respect for the opponent, whom they have faced before, and looking forward to successfully continuing their Asian journey.
