Riyadh: Al Sadd SC head coach Roberto Mancini has affirmed his team’s readiness to take on Vissel Kobe in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025-2026 on Thursday.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Mancini stressed that the encounter will demand maximum concentration and effort from his players as they aim to secure a place in the semi-finals.
He noted that Al Sadd will approach the fixture with strong ambition to continue their continental campaign, adding that the technical staff has been working intensively to prepare the squad both physically and tactically despite a congested match schedule.
Following their previous outing against Al Hilal SFC, Mancini highlighted the importance of swift recovery ahead of the crucial tie, acknowledging the challenge posed by the Japanese side.
🇶🇦 Al Sadd and 🇯🇵 Vissel Kobe lay down their markers ahead of their quarter-final battle!
Who is ready to deliver when it matters most?#ACLElite pic.twitter.com/llgPFbj8PE
— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) April 15, 2026
“Facing Vissel Kobe will not be easy given their organisation and tactical discipline,” he said.
The Italian coach expressed confidence in his players’ experience in high-stakes matches, emphasising that team spirit and discipline will be key to achieving a positive result.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd’s Moroccan defender Romain Saiss said the team’s strong performance against Al Hilal has boosted morale ahead of the quarter-final clash.
He underlined the squad’s awareness of the significance of this stage of the competition, noting that the AFC Champions League remains a major objective for both the club and its supporters.
Saiss added that preparations have focused on addressing previous shortcomings while reinforcing key strengths, with players fully committed to delivering a complete performance.
“The match requires full concentration from start to finish, and we will fight to achieve a result that takes us to the semi-finals, with our sights set on the final,” he said.
