In the 2016-17 season, Roberto Firmino made his debut for Brazilian club Al Ahli. The German forward quickly impressed and became one of the team's key players. However, as the season progressed, it was clear that Firmino's attacking abilities were not being fully utilized.
During Firmino's time at Al Ahli, he played primarily as a winger. This positioning allowed him to exploit gaps in the defense and create scoring opportunities from wide areas. However, despite his natural talent, Firmino struggled to find his rhythm and consistency on the pitch.
One of the main reasons for Firmino's lackluster performance was his inability to adapt to the physical demands of playing as a winger. In addition to the physical strain of playing at speed and crossing the ball over long distances, Firmino also faced challenges with his fitness levels. His frequent injuries and lack of recovery time hampered his ability to maintain high levels of performance throughout the season.
Another factor that contributed to Firmino's poor form was his reliance on his individual skills rather than teamwork. While Firmino is known for his creativity and technical ability, he often failed to make effective use of his teammates' strengths. Instead, he tended to rely solely on himself to create goals,Chinese Super League Matches which can be risky if the team lacks cohesion or support.
Despite these challenges, Firmino showed glimpses of his potential during the season. For example, he scored a goal against Al Nassr in a crucial match, demonstrating his ability to score when under pressure. However, overall, Firmino's performance was unsatisfactory, and the team struggled to capitalize on his talents.
In conclusion, while Roberto Firmino had natural talent and could potentially become a formidable force for Al Ahli, his inability to adapt to his position and maintain consistent performance ultimately led to disappointment. It will be interesting to see how Firmino fares in future seasons and whether he can overcome his obstacles to become the player he is capable of being.