Saudi coach: the Saudi League has signed many big names, but the national team is not a club

On June 20, Saudi Arabia lost 0-4 to Spain in their second group-stage match of the FIFA World Cup. After the match, Saudi coach Donis was interviewed.

Spain are indeed a very strong team and one of the favorites to win the FIFA World Cup. You conceded 3 goals in the first 23 minutes and then switched to a five-at-the-back formation. My question is: Was this tactic appropriate? Did the players fail to execute it properly, or was the tactic itself unsuitable? Please answer directly.

Hello. I think the main answer is that we were facing a very strong team. We decided to adopt a three-center-back system with five defenders in the backline, hoping to defend deeper and do our best defensively. When Spain had possession closer to our box, we needed to do better—by blocking more decisively, tackling harder, and intercepting passes more quickly.

But the reality is that when a game does not go as planned, it is difficult to explain it with just one reason. Many aspects may not have been executed well.

I think the most critical issue was that our defensive intensity near the box was insufficient, and we failed to effectively halt Spain's offensive progression in dangerous areas.

Moreover, the opponent played at a very fast pace, and conceding early goals also affected our mental state.

So, after a quick analysis of the match, I would say two things:

First, we were not decisive enough in stopping the opponent near the box;

Second, we made many mistakes while handling the ball in dangerous areas.

You previously spoke about mental stability and playing freely, but many fans believe that after conceding 3 goals in the first 25 minutes, the players clearly showed fear before the hydration break. Did you feel the same way?

When a game starts badly and you concede three goals quickly, it is very normal for insecurity to set in. In such situations, you try to intervene and calm the team down.

It's clear the players were affected, and this is normal—not just for our team, but for any team, including top, strong teams.

Players are human too, and it is natural for them to be affected when things are not going well. I wouldn't call it "fear"; a more accurate word would be "insecurity."

When things get difficult, you try to find ways to support the players and help them gradually return to their normal level of performance.

You clearly strengthened the midfield today by adding more players, but at the same time, you left the flanks exposed, allowing Spain to create many opportunities on the wings. Do you have a problem reading the game?

That statement is not accurate. We actually started with a 5-4-1 low-block defensive system.

When using a 5-4-1 low-block defense, you need wingers to drop back, full-backs to contribute defensively, and additional center-backs to protect the wide areas.

However, trying to contain Spain with a 4-4-2 would actually be more difficult.

But the reality is that stopping Spain is never easy.

In a low-block defense, the key is not the formation, but whether you can disrupt the ball in critical areas.

Our biggest problem was the same as in the second half against Uruguay—we couldn't effectively prevent the opponent from controlling and progressing the ball near the box.

You previously said the team lacked tactical flexibility. You completely changed the tactical system for this match instead of continuing with your previous preparations. Was that the right decision?

Let's look at the problem from a different perspective. Against Uruguay, we were effectively in a 4-4-2 system during the defensive phase. But if you study Spain, you will find that defending against them in the same way would be very difficult, because they deploy a large number of players between the lines.

You will eventually be forced to drop into a low-block defense, and the opponent will still manage to get the ball into your defensive area. The problem is not the formation itself, but whether you can "win the duels" in dangerous areas.

If you can’t tackle hard there, protect your body, and maintain possession, then any formation will encounter the same problem. I feel your analysis focuses more on the formation, whereas mine focuses on where the ball actually arrives. Spain is completely different from our previous warm-up opponents and also different from Uruguay.

Against such a team, you are often forced to retreat, but we did not perform well in the key areas.

How would you evaluate player Yamal's performance?

I think, as everyone saw, a player with top one-on-one ability like him can change the game.

He is one of the players in the Spanish team who can consistently make a difference. If his physical condition continues to improve and he receives more playing time, he will become even more valuable to the team.

Former Saudi coach Renard was criticized and even dismissed after early defeats while using a three-center-back or five-at-the-back system. Are you concerned about a similar situation? Why do you insist on using a five-at-the-back system?

You are assuming, "If I lose, I will be fired." But that is not how I think. Therefore, I will not answer this question. Next.

The Saudi League has attracted many world-class players. Has this helped the national team become stronger?

These world-class players make the league more competitive and provide a more professional environment for local players. However, the national team operates as a different system; it is not a club. Within the national team, these accumulated experiences must be integrated into a unified philosophy and mindset, which still requires time.

I have also coached in the Saudi League, and I know the league well. I believe that, in the long run, bringing in big names will help us improve, but it is not an overnight process. Today, we faced one of the strongest teams in the world, and we certainly encountered difficulties.

However, in the long term, I still believe we can build a competitive national team.

An 8-goal defeat was foreseeable, but were there any positives from the team today? For example, the players’ reactions or their performance during phases of possession?

I am proud of the players' daily efforts. Even when we lose, I will never lose my respect for them.

At the FIFA World Cup, there have been many heavy defeats, such as 1-5 or 0-6.

The most important thing is that we face reality and accept criticism. We will continue to review and restart in a few days.