Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez spoke to the media ahead of their 2021-2022 QNB Stars League Week 1 match against Al Sailiya.

“We are really excited and happy for the start of the new season. The resumption of the new league is always a sign of happiness. We won everything last season. This new season will be really difficult, but we will try our best to make all of our fans happy. We will try our best to win all the domestic titles again.

“Al Sailiya are a very good team. We have to remember that they won two championships last season. Their coach Sami Trabelsi has been working at the club for many years. This is the reason for the good work done by Al Sailiya and it will be difficult to face him.

“They changed some foreign players and we know them well, but it is always very difficult to play against Al Sailiya. It is always difficult to win the first match of a new season, but God willing, we can do that. We are the favourites to win this match and we have to show our best level to get the three points.

“It is difficult to work without the international players who are in the training camp with the national team, but there is no excuse. Everyone knows the playing model we have at our club. We need to win; we need to compete and launch the new journey in the best way possible,” said Xavi.

Al Sadd player Ahmed Sayyar said, “We have been preparing for the first match of the new season with all seriousness. The opening matches are always difficult for both teams.

“We will face a strong and stubborn team that has good players. They also succeeded in signing distinguished professional players. Al Sadd always have the ambition to win and collect match points and this is what we will strive for against Al Sailiya too.”