German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli, faces a significant tactical challenge ahead of their upcoming match against UAE's Al-Wahda in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. Jäissle has settled on his starting lineup, making necessary changes to compensate for the absence of key players: Brazilian winger Galinho Wenderson and Turkish defender Merih Demiral.
According to sources, Yassla has decided to field young player Saleh Abu Shamat on the right wing to compensate for the absence of Galeño, who is suffering from an injury that has kept him out of recent group training sessions. In defense, the coach will rely on defender Rayan Hamed to replace Demiral, who is unavailable for the match due to not yet being fully fit. These changes represent a true test of Al Ahli's squad depth and the ability of the substitutes to fill the void left by the two key players.
General context and importance of the match
This match comes at a crucial juncture in the group stage of Asia's premier club competition. Al-Ahli, with its rich history as one of Saudi Arabia's football powerhouses, aims for a strong start in this new edition of the tournament, especially after the significant support Saudi clubs have received and their acquisition of international stars. Qualifying from the group stage is considered a vital first step towards fulfilling the fans' aspirations of competing for the long-awaited continental title.
Expected impact of absences
The absence of Demiral and Galino is undoubtedly a blow to the team. The Turkish defender, with his extensive European experience, is a rock in the heart of the defense, while Galino offers diverse attacking options thanks to his speed and individual skills. Yasle will have to adjust his tactics to cope with these absences, as the midfielders may need to provide greater defensive support to compensate for Demiral's absence, while relying on collective play in attack to fill the void left by Galino. This match presents a golden opportunity for players Rayan Hamed and Saleh Abu Shamat to prove their abilities and earn the trust of the coach and the fans in this important continental fixture.
It is worth noting that Al-Ahli enters the match with high morale after its recent victory in the Roshan Professional League against Al-Hazm Club with a score of two goals to nil, within the competitions of the twenty-first round, and seeks to continue its series of positive results on the local and continental levels.
