JEDDAH — In an unexpected twist, Nuno Santo, the Portuguese coach of Al-Ittihad, has expressed his surprise at the criticism and boos directed towards him by the team's supporters. This comes in the wake of a 2-2 draw against Al-Hazem, which marks Al-Ittihad's fourth consecutive winless match in the Saudi Professional League, resulting in vocal discontent from fans.
During a post-match press conference, Santo acknowledged the negative reactions from fans but made it clear that he remained unfazed, stating, "I understand what happened, but I don't pay much attention to the chants of the fans. I will return home and sleep; I am not overly concerned with the fan reaction."
The match, ending in a draw, showcased Al-Ittihad's struggles to secure a much-needed victory, further distancing them from a coveted league win. The fans' disapproval was palpable as Santo left the field after the final whistle.
Reflecting on the lackluster performance, Santo admitted, "It was a disappointing game; our performance was subpar. Although we improved in the second half, we unfortunately conceded easy goals. We lacked the necessary strength and aggression."
When questioned about his ability to reverse the situation, Santo expressed confidence in his work ethic, saying, "I have trust in my work. Since day one, I've been putting in hard and diligent work. We will have to wait and see what unfolds in the coming period."
Analyzing the match, the Al-Ittihad coach commented, "We attempted to manage player minutes through substitutions, but that should not be used as an excuse. Today's performance lacks justification. We allowed the opposing team too much space and let them control the game, which is unacceptable."
Santo concluded by stating, "Our current focus is on the upcoming match, and we are preparing diligently for it."
As Al-Ittihad grapples with fan dissatisfaction and a challenging league position, Santo is determined to redirect the team's focus and energy towards a more positive outcome in the next fixture.
