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Zenga wants lighter domestic workload for UAE teams in ACL
Al Jazira coach Walter Zenga has questioned why more is not done to help UAE teams playing in the Asian Champions League, after his side crashed to defeat against Esteghlal.
Zenga’s men were playing their sixth game in 18 days, while their Iranian opponents had only taken to the field three times in the corresponding period.
The Italian rejected claims that his side were tired, but raised the issue of why clubs featuring in Asian competitions do not receive a lighter domestic workload.
He said: “Tell me, where is the protection for the teams that play in the Champions League?
“We either want teams to get far in the Champions League, or we do not care about it. But, we are only tired now because we lost the game,” the Italian added.
Al Jazira last night slipped to their first Asian Champions League defeat this term thanks to Mohammad Ghazi’s second-half strike on 70 minutes.
Prior to that moment, Esteghlal defender Jlloyd Samuel only received a booking for a crunching foul that forced Ahmed Mousa off through injury.
Zenga believes that decision from referee Dong Jin played an influential role in deciding the outcome of the game.
He said: “In the crucial moment of the game, he [Samuel] should have received a red card. Instead, I had to change a crucial player for my team and then we conceded the goal.
“Sometimes, the story of a game is decided by a decision.”
Jazira had drawn 0-0 against Al Nasr last Thursday but were not without opportunities, with attackers Felipe Caicedo and Ahmed Rabia guilty of being wasteful in front of goal.
When asked whether he was concerned by this spell, he replied: “No, because we created a lot of chances. The difference is when you do not create anything, then you can be afraid.”
Opposite number Amir Ghalenoei claimed his side “were better tactically”, a suggestion Zenga flatly rejected.
“If the tactical advantage is to shoot on goal for the first time in the 55th minute, then I do not know what kind of game he saw from his bench,” the Italian said. “I do not remember any chance before Ali Khaseif made a save in the first 10 minutes of the second half. I saw one team who just wanted to defend deep and counter attack.”
