JS Kabylie Coach Zinnbauer: "We Lacked Focus and Experience Against AS FAR; Champions League Doesn't Forgive Mistakes"

Josef Zinnbauer, coach of Algerian side JS Kabylie, admitted that his team failed to deliver the expected performance during the first half of their encounter against AS FAR, which ended in a 1-0 defeat in the fourth round of the CAF Champions League group stage.

Zinnbauer stated during the post-match press conference: "We were not mentally present as required in the first half. The start was not good, and some decisions were unnecessary in a competition the size of the CAF Champions League, where every detail must be handled with great caution."

The JS Kabylie coach added that his team squandered moments that could have been better utilized, noting that AS FAR's goal came from a decisive cross that turned into the winning goal, even though his team created more chances in the first half.

He continued: "In the second half, our performance improved relatively after the changes, and we became more balanced. However, in the Champions League, you don't get a large number of chances, and we had to be more effective, whether from set pieces or aerial play."

Zinnbauer pointed out that conceding a goal shortly after one of their quick chances made the task of coming back in the match more difficult, explaining that the team tried to press and push forward, but circumstances did not help in overturning the result.

He also touched upon the aspect of readiness, confirming that the team had only two training sessions before the match, which affected cohesion, especially given the absence of experienced players due to injuries or departures from the club.

The JS Kabylie coach concluded his remarks with a frank tone, saying: "I am a little disappointed with the performance; I expected more from the team. If we want to compete in the CAF Champions League and progress, we must deliver a higher level, and fight more on the field, because this competition is unforgiving."