Al-Ahly coach defends squad depth, emphasizes defensive issues

Al-Ahly manager Marino Boseitch said the club needs to strengthen multiple positions and defended recent tactical decisions in a pre-match press conference.

By Middle East Affairs
September 7, 2026
A player in a blue jersey with the number 26 controls the ball while being challenged by an opponent in a pink jersey during a soccer match.
A player vies for the ball during a match, as the team's defensive capabilities remain under scrutiny following recent tactical discussions by the coaching staff. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Marino Boseitch, manager of Al-Ahly, said at a press conference before the team's upcoming match against Riyadh that the club needs reinforcements across all positions, not only in midfield. Boseitch said the transfer market remains open and that decisions about signings rest with the club's sporting administration.

"The market is still available, and the club has full control over strengthening the team," Boseitch said. "I believe we need reinforcement in all positions, and you as media focus heavily on midfield while overlooking other areas," according to remarks carried by the Middle East newspaper's sports account.

Boseitch pointed to six goals conceded in recent matches as a concern and said the coaching staff works daily to address errors and improve performance. He noted that competitors had made the most of limited chances against Al-Ahly.

On the exclusion of defender Artem Bordanenko from the squad that faced Al-Hilal, Boseitch said the decision was tactical rotation rather than a technical issue. "I have good players, and I trust in Artem and his abilities," he said. "His exclusion against Al-Hilal was only because of rotation—I cannot select all the players."

Boseitch added that new players need time to integrate and that Al-Ahly operates on a tight fixture schedule. He said the upcoming match against Riyadh will be competitive and difficult, given the strength of competition in the Roshn Saudi League, and emphasized the advantage of playing at home.

Al-Ahly coach defends squad depth, emphasizes defensive issues | Middle East Affairs