Al-Ahli seeks to confirm its superiority in a highly anticipated match against Al-Ettifaq
In a highly anticipated football match, Al-Ahli will be a formidable opponent for Al-Ettifaq at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, as part of the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Ahli enters the match aiming for all three points to maintain pressure on the league leaders and solidify their position in the top four, in a season marked by unprecedented competitiveness thanks to the influx of a host of international football stars.
This match takes on special significance as it pits two teams with high ambitions this season against each other. Al-Ahli, making a strong return to the top flight, aims to establish itself as one of the four giants of Saudi football, capitalizing on significant investment and high-caliber signings made during the summer. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq, under the guidance of their renowned coach, aspires to deliver a performance worthy of their recent investments and shake up the standings at the top of the table.
Yssel's official lineup: Changes in defense and a full attacking force
German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al Ahly, announced the starting lineup for the match, which saw forced changes, particularly in the back line, due to key absences. The official lineup is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy
- Defense: Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Ryan Hamed
- Midfielders: Franck Kessie, Ziyad Al-Jahani, Gabri Vega, Allan Saint-Maximin
- Forwards: Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Firas Al-Buraikan
The impact of absences and the importance of the match in the league race
Yssel faces a real challenge in this match, as the team will be missing key players such as right-back Ali Majrashi and left-back Zakaria Hawsawi due to accumulated yellow cards. These absences have forced the German coach to change his tactical formation and rely on three central defenders to compensate for the lack of players on the flanks, while giving greater attacking responsibilities to the midfielders and wingers.
A victory in this match would not only secure three points for Al-Ahli, but would also provide a tremendous morale boost for the team in the fierce competition for AFC Champions League qualification. Any slip-up could give direct rivals the opportunity to close the gap or even surpass it, making every match a do-or-die final. All eyes will be on star players like Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Franck Kessié, who are expected to make the difference and decide these tough encounters.
