The team led by the Portuguese Jorge Jesus has been the great executioner of Marcelo Gallardo during his cycle as coach of Al Ittihad: lost in the Saudi Professional League, both legs of the AFC Champions League quarterfinals and the final of the Saudi Arabian Super Cup. Now, we add this defeat in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey de Campeones, against the same opponent.
New defeat for Marcelo Gallardo
The project of Marcelo Gallardo In Al Ittihad he could not start, although on this occasion he was close to beating Al Hilal. He started down on the scoreboard due to a goal from Michael at 25′ from PT, just after having a controversial goal disallowed by a VAR decision.
Al Ittihad was always the one he looked for, even with the adverse result. However, Al Hilal took advantage of the counterattack and some second balls to create danger for goalkeeper Al Maiouf. However, at 42′, a kick by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic complicated Jorge Jesús’s team. With VAR through, the Serbian was sent off.
In the second half, the game was played decisively in Al Hilal’s field with Marcelo Gallardo’s team focused on the attack, in search of the tying goal, which finally came at 22′ of the complement. Abderrazak Hamdallah, scorer of the “Muñeco” cycle, took advantage of a good cross from Al Ghamdi to score 1-1.
It seemed that, after the tie, Al Ittihad could break the spell and take the victory, taking advantage of the extra man. However, in a counterattack, Saud Abdulhamid scored 2-1 to shatter the aspirations of Marcelo Gallardo’s team.
End of the experience in Saudi Arabia?
Marcelo Gallardo spoke at a press conference after the defeat. “When we lose, mistakes are talked about in a very exaggerated way. I am responsible for everything that happens within the team,” he said. Immediately afterwards, he assured: “I am indebted to the public for their support. I am a direct person and I do not avoid responsibility,” he assured.
Asked about the team’s present, the “Muñeco” explained: “We have faced many difficulties, but we and the players are committed to working and we will analyze the situation before making internal decisions.”
Regarding the match, he acknowledged: “After the expulsion, the match was in our hands. We created many chances and we should have moved forward and not become complacent or retreat.” Following the same line, he went deeper: “The match was under our control and the team stayed well together, but the rival won on a counterattack.”
To close, Marcelo Gallardo highlighted the work of the team, but questioned the future. “The players were committed to us during the last period and I don’t know what will happen in the next period. (…) We must study the situation. We will talk to those responsible about how to complete the season,” he concluded.
Source: Ambito
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