Al Sadd will take on rivals Al Rayyan in the Qatari Clasico today at the Al Sadd Stadium. Both teams will be playing for pride and bragging rights in one of the most anticipated matches of the Qatar Stars League season.
Al Sadd are in second place, just behind champions Al Rayyan. The Wolves have forty-five points and will be hoping to increase the gap between themselves and third-placed El Jaish.
Jesualdo Ferriera, the head coach of Al Sadd is excited about the upcoming game, “The next match is the Qatari Clasico. It is one of the most important games in QSL, I hope the fans will add to this special occasion. For us one of the best games was when we beat Al Rayyan in the first half of the season.”
He also mentioned his side’s hopes for finishing in second place, “We are seeking to keep our second position and it will not be easy. The games we have left are very tough, one against Al Rayyan and one against El Jaish,” added the Portuguese tactician.
“What happened with Al Rayyan is something normal after you win the league and Rayyan will not play as strong as when they were fighting for the league,” said Ferriera speaking about Rayyan’s defeats in the past two rounds. Al Rayyan, the reigning QSL Champions are coming into the Qatari Clasico after two o straight defeats in the QSL. They will be hoping to turn this form around with a win against their biggest rivals.
Jorge Fossati, the head coach of Al Rayyan had this to say about the upcoming encounter, “We think it will be a very tough game. Al Sadd was one of the favourites for the league. Of course we are the champions it’s true and it’s also true that in terms of results that they are better than us at the moment.”
 “Our real pressure is that we want the best for our team every day. To improve every day and try to take the victory in every match,” added the Uruguayan at Saturday’s press conference.
The Lions have already secured the title and Fossati wanted to let everyone know that they are not complacent, “The worst that can happen is that we finish ten points clear of the second team. We made changes in the team and gave opportunities to young players. But what I can assure you that the players are giving their best even after the game against Al Wakrah.”
 “I hope Rayyan supporters will be there for the game. The club has four important parts which are players, staff, admin and fans. If they are all together than we can win,” added the experienced sixty three year old coach.