Even for someone who's been there and done it – and, to be fair, seen most in life – Jorge Jesus conceded the pressure of a title challenge can still pinch at little.
That's what he attributed, in part, Al Nassr's defeat to Al Qadsiah on Sunday night to, the Roshn Saudi League leaders beaten beaten 3-1 in Dammam to see that club-record streak come to an abrupt end.
Having built a 16-match winning run, Al Nassr were outdone by goals from Mohammed Abu Al Shamat, Musab Al Juwayr and Julian Quinones, as the fourth-placed hosts sealed a memorable victory.
Even though it feels a tad redundant, Joao Felix had earlier levelled for visitors with his 17th goal of a fantastic debut RSL campaign.
Al Nassr manager Jorge Jesus during match at Al Qadsiah
However, the loss means Al Nassr’s lead at the summit has been reduced to five points with three full rounds remaining. Second-placed Al Hilal, though, do have a game in hand.
Perhaps the result was understandable. With the Al Qadsiah reverse coming four days after that incredibly intense triumph against Al Ahli, Jesus admitted his side were suffering with a packed schedule as they fight for both the RSL title and the AFC Champions League Two crown.
Maybe something simply had to give.
Joao Felix levels for RSL leaders Al Nassr at Al Qadsiah
"We already knew that today we were going to have a difficult game," the Al Nassr manager said. "Al Qadsiah are one of the good teams in the league, with good players. And today, Al Nassr were a team that was not very fresh.
"I felt my team had less momentum than usual. It is also true that we have played 50 games, the opponent [a lot fewer]. In addition to lacking some momentum, we also failed in the crucial moments of the game. Al Qadsiah’s goals were all three balls lost in our last defensive line. And Al Qadsiah took advantage of it.
"At the end of 16 consecutive victories, it was important that today we could at least not lose here. Today we couldn't. But the fact is that we are still ahead."
Julian Quinones nets Al Qadsiah's third v Al Nassr to increase lead at top of 2025-26 scoring charts
That, of course, they are.
"We continue to try to win this championship, with fewer and fewer games," Jesus said. "And try to recover my team quickly. Last weekend we had a flu outbreak, with five or six players who played against Al Ahli in difficulty.
“Today we paid the price. But that's it, it's part of football, it's part of the game. And now we have to recover the team."
Al Nassr's defeat at Al Qadsiah brought to an end their superb 16-match win streak in RSL
Asked what was required for his side to regain momentum – Al Nassr travel to Al Shabab in an all-Riyadh affair on Thursday then host Al Hilal in the Capital Derby five days later – Jesus replied: "We need to do what we have done so far. Al Nassr won 16 consecutive games; we lost today.
"It's not by chance that Nasser, even losing today, has two points ahead of the second place [if Al Hilal win their game in hand]. And that's it. My team weren't as fresh as it usually is. I have to congratulate my opponent. We couldn't be better than our rival today."
Jesus, already an RSL title winner with Al Hilal, added: “In the end, there are three games left – we are all a little more anxious. Even me, with the experience I have, so many times winning championships and being in this situation. It’s part of it.
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"Al Nassr are playing every four days, playing with a positive emotional load – good, because we are playing to be champion – but this also leaves some scars in some players.
"At the end of 20 games, Al Nassr lost its 20 consecutive victories: 16 in the [RSL] and four to the [Asian] championship. We can't win all the games. I would like us to, but we can't."
