• This Qatar Clasico will be a new start for Al Sadd this season.
• Al Sadd vs Al Rayyan matches are not based solely on history and you must give off everything on the field to achieve victory.
• We’re able to make a comeback into the competition and we promise our fans that we’ll give off our best.
• We always play to win in order to win championships and I hope our fans will support us strongly in the upcoming matches.

The 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League’s Week 9 will witness the high-profile Qatar Clasico between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd, which always evokes great interest from fans.

This time around, the Qatar Clasico will be different as both teams are not doing well this season, in terms of results. However, the matches between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd are of a different nature for the fans of both teams in particular.

Al Sadd are preparing strongly for the game, technically and physically. Will this match be a new start for Al Sadd this season? How best can they fare? Are they able to make a strong comeback from the ninth place in the table?

Al Sadd’s Spanish star Santi Cazorla gave his takes on all these in an Exclusive Interview with the Qatar Stars League website.

At the outset, tell us about your preparations for the Qatar Clasico against Al Rayyan?

We’re in vigorous training for a long time and we’ve reached great readiness to resume competitions after the big break due to arrangements and preparations for hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

What do you promise your fans on this great occasion?

We always play to win in order to win championships and we promise our fans that  we’ll give off our best in order to come back strongly and compete for the QNB Stars League title.

Is Al Sadd vs Al Rayyan Qatar Clasico a motivation and point of strength for you?

Al Sadd vs Al Rayyan matches aren't based solely on history and you must give off everything you’ve on the field to achieve victory. The match demands our very best.

Al Sadd have got back the services of a large number of main players, but at the same time some are away doing duty for the Qatar national team at the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Iraq. How does it affect you?

Indeed, we’ve prepared a number of international players who’ll be a great addition to the team. The coach can find many solutions on the field and also on the bench.

What’s different in the upcoming Clasico from previous seasons?

The only difference is the long break, which’ll certainly affect both teams. We’re working as a team to win the match points and we’re able to achieve it.

How do you see the game especially from the point of view of Al Sadd attack vs Al Rayyan defence?

Al Rayyan have outstanding players, including new recruit Japanese defender Shogo Taniguchi, who played in the 2022 World Cup. We’ve a number of standout players upfront, most notably Akram Afif, so the match will be very strong.

Can we say that the Qatar Clasico will be a new start for Al Sadd this season?

It’ll certainly be a new start for us and the return of some international players will give us more strength and motivation to compete for the league title.

Holders Al Sadd are ranked ninth currently. Is the team able to recover from it and compete again strongly?

Yes, we’re able to compensate and move forward although we’ve some very strong matches coming up, against Al Rayyan, Al Duhail and Al Arabi in the next three rounds.

What obstacles you may face in this season’s QNB Stars League?

I hope that injuries won’t be an obstacle to our march and we’re in great readiness to strive to go strong in the next rounds.

Finally, what else do you have to say?

I hope our fans will support us strongly in the upcoming matches and they’ll have a great role in helping us achieve victories.