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Al Sadd's Private Chef: The Secret Weapon?
13 Apr
Summary
- Al Sadd travels with a private chef to maintain diet.
- Match is a round of 16 AFC Champions League tie.
- Al-Hilal faces several key player absences.
Al Sadd is making extensive preparations for their AFC Champions League round of 16 match against Al-Hilal in Jeddah. The club has brought a 55-member delegation, including a private Tunisian chef tasked with maintaining the squad's prescribed diet. This detail underscores Al Sadd's commitment to controlling all aspects of their preparation.
The crucial match is set for Monday at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, with the winner advancing to face Vissel Kobe in the quarter-finals. For Al Sadd, this tie is more than just an elimination game; it's a test of their disciplined approach under pressure.
Al-Hilal, however, is contending with significant player absences. Key players like Mohammed Kanno, Malcom de Oliveira, and Kalidou Koulibaly are unavailable, with Koulibaly's status uncertain as he continues treatment in Jeddah. This creates a different kind of pressure for Al-Hilal compared to Al Sadd's focus on maximizing control.
Roberto Mancini, Al Sadd's coach, appears to believe that meticulous preparation can be a deciding factor in knockout ties, drawing parallels to disciplined collective efforts that lead to major victories. The unseen work, from diet to squad management, could prove critical in determining who advances.
