Heavily criticized for his performance in the last matches with Al Ahli SC (Saudi Arabia), Riyad Mahrez (6 appearances for 0 goals and 2 assists since the start of the 2024-2025 season) was exempted, for “breathing difficulties”, from the match, played Monday as part of the 1st round of the King’s, at home against Al Jandal SC. And, without the Algerian, the Ahlaouis left the competition by losing 1 goal to 0.
Supporters of the training of Jeddah called the performance a real debacle. Fortunately, Mahrez was in the stands to watch this game. His detractors cannot therefore blame him for this unexpected setback. Moreover, this early exit could cost the coach his head Matthias Jaissle more than ever in the hot seat.
A blessing in disguise
Since the start of the season, Al Ahli FC struggles to convince in performance. And the punishment was not long in coming with this early elimination of the Saudi Cup. Last year Mahrez & Co. also did not last long in this event, being knocked out at the end of the second test. We can imagine that the absence of the captain of thenational team was, on a personal level, a blessing in disguise. The end result could have made his case worse and increased the opposition to him from some of the club’s fans.
However, the opposite effect occurred since the comments on the pageAl Ahli SC have a clear tendency. Indeed, the majority thinks that the presence of the former resident of Manchester City could have changed the course of the game recalling that he had a significant impact during the 2023-2024 season (12 goals and 14 assists in 33 matches). It is obvious that, even when he is not in possession of all his faculties, the Vert has the ability to turn the match on an opening. Mahrez may be slower, but it retains (if only a little) its flashes of genius. That’s what we have to remember.
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