All eyes in Saudi football are on Al-Inma Stadium, where Al-Ahli's first team is preparing for a crucial and decisive match against Al-Fateh, as part of the eleventh round of the Saudi Professional League. This match holds particular importance for Al-Ahli, who are striving to solidify their position in the standings and appease their fans with a convincing performance despite the difficult circumstances the team is facing due to player absences.
German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al Ahli, is finalizing his tactical plan for the upcoming match, finding himself compelled to make significant changes to the starting lineup. These changes are necessary to address the gaps left by the absence of several key players, presenting the young coach with a real test of his ability to manage the numerical disadvantage and find suitable replacements.
Al-Ahli's expected lineup against Al-Fateh
Based on the current circumstances and the latest training session, Al-Ahly is expected to enter the match with a lineup that includes a mix of experienced and young players to compensate for the absentees. The expected lineup will be as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi.
- Defense line: Ali Majrashi, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Zakaria Hawsawi.
- Midfield: Valentin Atangana, Enzo Melot, Matheus Gonçalves.
- Attack line: Firas Al-Buraikan, Galino Wenderson, Ivan Toni.
Absences hit Al-Raed's ranks
Al-Ahli faces a significant challenge this round, as the team's backbone will be missing, making the task against Al-Fateh even more difficult. The absence of Algerian star Riyad Mahrez, the driving force behind their attacking play, is confirmed, along with the absence of Ivorian powerhouse Franck Kessié, who provides balance to the midfield, and Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. This opens the door for young goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi to defend Al-Ahli's goal.
The context of the competition and the importance of the three points
This match comes at a time of fierce competition in the Roshan Professional League, where there is no room for error in the battle for continental qualification and the title. Facing Al-Fateh is always a tactically complex match, given the team's organized play and ability to upset the big clubs, which will require Yassla's squad to maintain high concentration throughout the 90 minutes.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 pm tomorrow, Friday, in a game from which Al-Ahly fans expect a strong reaction and a clear desire to collect the three points to move a step forward in the standings.
