Marino Pusic launched a rare public rebuke of Al-Ahly's supporters following his side's dominant 5-0 victory over Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Roshn League on Friday. The Dutch tactician's frustration stemmed not from the scoreline, but from the crowd's treatment of Ukrainian midfielder Artem Bondarenko, who faced persistent jeering whenever he touched the ball at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium.
Pusic's Defence of Club Values
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Pusic invoked Al-Ahly's founding principle to challenge the fanbase's conduct. "The club's motto is 'Through time we shall march together,'" he said, according to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. "I know how much Al-Ahli's fans love their club, but their absence today saddened me. A week ago they were welcoming the player, and today they were not welcoming to him."
Bondarenko, the recent arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk, had been embraced by supporters upon his signing. The sudden shift in reception puzzled Pusic, who stressed the importance of unity. "All the players cooperate with their teammate in order to please the fans," he continued. "You have betrayed your slogan by not supporting everyone equally."
Tactical Praise Amid a Turnaround
Beyond the fan criticism, Pusic showered praise on his squad's performance, particularly after consecutive league defeats. Al-Ahly had lost 3-1 to Al-Khaleej and 3-0 to Saudi Clasico rivals Al-Hilal before Friday's commanding display. "I am impressed by all my players," Pusic said. "Football does not rely only on numbers, but on timing and spaces. I try to deal with all the players in the appropriate way, because each one of them is capable of making the difference."
The coach acknowledged his team's sluggish opening against Al-Riyadh but credited defensive discipline for weathering the early period. "We started badly, but we defended well, and once the first goal was scored the situation became better," he explained. "After that we produced a great performance, and what the players delivered today after the last two matches made me feel very proud of them." This five-goal triumph marks a crucial reset for Al-Ahly as they look to build momentum in the Roshn League's fifth round.
