Al-Ettifaq boss Gerrard has fingers crossed for Moussa Dembele return versus Al-Ittihad
AL-MAJMA’AH: Al-Ettifaq supervisor Steven Gerrard hopes to have key striker Moussa Dembele again from damage for the membership’s subsequent Roshn Saudi League fixture at dwelling to champions Al-Ittihad.
The worldwide break will enable Dembele, who has been out injured since he netted within the defeat to Al-Fateh at the start of October, further time to get well from a small operation on his knee.
Al-Ettifaq have scored solely 3 times in 5 video games since then – with their final two fixtures, at dwelling to Al-Raed and away on Saturday to Al-Feiha, ending in 0-0 attracts.
And Gerrard additionally hopes to have the previous Fulham, Celtic, Lyon, and Atletico Madrid striker out there for the massive Roshn Saudi League match in opposition to Al-Ittihad – led up entrance by Karim Benzema – on Friday, Nov. 24.
Gerrard mentioned: “I feel it’s apparent we’re lacking a center-forward should you’ve checked out our final three or 4 performances.
“Moussa is at all times going to be missed and I’m hoping that if the subsequent week or 10 days go actually, rather well, then he presumably could possibly be concerned in some capability within the subsequent recreation. If not, he received’t be far-off from returning after that.
“It’s not going to be a very long time, however we have to be affected person and ensure the issue is healed and he will get the appropriate rehabilitation.”
The Englishman, whose aspect are seventh within the league desk with 22 factors after 13 matches, described the goalless draw at Al-Feiha as “two factors dropped.”
Gerrard, whose aspect have been additionally with out former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson for the sport, added: “We missed Henderson, positive, as a result of he has introduced assists to our recreation this season. Moussa Dembele has introduced objectives and assists. We definitely missed these two by way of the standard we have now proven beforehand within the remaining third.
“An analogous sample has been occurring in current video games the place we’re not discovering sufficient high quality within the remaining third.
“Defensively we had one or two points however in the principle we’ve saved one other clear sheet. In possession we’re moving into some good, attention-grabbing areas on the pitch however our remaining go or shot and high quality within the remaining third is lacking for the time being.”
Al-Feiha supervisor Vuk Rasovic famous that his aspect have been unlucky to not beat Al-Ettifaq after creating some good possibilities, with Henry Onyekuru acrobatically volleying over from shut vary.
Trend Sakala hit the put up and noticed a one-on-one alternative saved, and Anthony Nwakaeme hit the highest of the bar from shut vary simply minutes from time.
Rasovic mentioned: “We performed very properly defensively and offensively however sadly, we didn’t rating. We had three perhaps 4 superb moments – however that’s soccer.
“I favored the way in which we performed and what my gamers did on the sphere. We had large confidence on the ball and that’s one thing that we’re engaged on – we’re working to try to enhance and be higher.
“We love to regulate the ball. We now have gamers who like to play and be on the ball. We’d like extra strikes within the remaining third, however we want extra time to work on that. We’d like extra confidence in ending. However recreation by recreation I feel all the pieces will come,” he added.
Al-Feiha, who’re eighth within the desk with 16 factors, play their subsequent league fixture on Saturday, Nov. 25 once they journey to Al-Fateh, who’re two locations and eight factors above them.
