Al-Ahli Saudi FC faces a significant challenge in its continental campaign, as it has been officially confirmed that four of its key foreign players will miss the highly anticipated match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE. This crucial encounter is part of the eighth round of the AFC Champions League group stage and will be held at Al-Inma Stadium.
By a tactical decision from German coach Matthias Jäissle, the team will be without four key players: Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Turkish defender Merih Demiral, Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez, and Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié. The absence of these players represents a significant blow to the starting lineup, as they form the backbone of the defense and midfield, presenting Jäissle with a real test of the depth of his bench and the team's ability to adapt to these impactful absences.
General context and importance of the championship
The AFC Champions League, in its new format, has gained paramount importance for the continent's top clubs, including Al-Ahli Saudi, who invested heavily in the summer transfer market with the aim of returning to contention for domestic and continental titles. This tournament represents the most important platform for showcasing the strength of Saudi clubs at the Asian level, especially given the significant development witnessed in the Roshan Professional League. Matches between Saudi and Emirati teams are always special, characterized by intense rivalry and high levels of competition, adding further excitement and anticipation to these encounters.
The expected impact of absences on Al Ahly's performance
The absence of this quartet is expected to directly impact Al Ahli's strategy in the match. Mendy's absence means losing a goalkeeper with world-class experience, while the absence of Demiral and Ibanez will necessitate a complete overhaul of the central defense, potentially affecting the team's defensive cohesion. Franck Kessie, the team's midfield linchpin, will be a significant loss, leaving a gap in the link between defense and attack and in controlling the tempo of the game. Al Ahli aims to secure a victory in this encounter to maintain their positive momentum in the tournament and compete strongly for the continental title, especially after their impressive performance in their last Roshan Pro League match against Al Shabab, which ended in a 5-2 victory, showcasing their attacking prowess that they will rely on to compensate for their defensive deficiencies.
