The coaching staff of Al-Hilal, led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, received very positive news that boosted the team's morale ahead of their highly anticipated match against arch-rivals Al-Ahli, in the highlight of the eleventh round of the Saudi Professional League. This match comes at a crucial point in the season, as both teams are fiercely competing for the top spot in the standings.
A morale boost with the return of the stars
The team's group training session saw the return of international star Salem Al-Dawsari, a key pillar of the "Leader's" lineup. Al-Dawsari had missed the previous training session due to illness (the flu), but his participation in the latest session confirmed his full readiness for the derby, giving coach Jesus an indispensable attacking option. In related news, the readiness of the solid Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, the linchpin of the team's back line, was also confirmed after completing his rehabilitation program, further strengthening the team's defense against Al-Ahli's potent attack.
A new face and a promising future
The positive news wasn't limited to the return of injured players; training also saw the first appearance of young French player Mohamed Kader Maïga. Maïga's appearance comes after Al-Hilal finalized his signing, a move aimed at strengthening the team with promising young talent. While coach Jesus praised the player's technical abilities, he indicated that some administrative procedures still need to be completed for his official registration, making his participation against Al-Ahli uncertain. However, he remains a valuable asset for the future.
The importance of the match in the context of the competition
This encounter holds immense historical significance, as the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ahli match is known as the "Saudi Clasico," always characterized by intense rivalry and excitement. The importance of this match is amplified by the fact that it pits league leaders Al-Hilal, with 46 points, against third-placed Al-Ahli, who have 43 points. A victory for Al-Hilal would widen their lead and send a strong message to their rivals, while Al-Ahli seeks a win to close the gap and reignite the title race, especially with Al-Nassr currently in second place with the same number of points.
King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh is scheduled to host this football summit on Monday evening, at 8:30 pm, amid great public anticipation to follow new chapters of excitement in the Roshan League, which has become the focus of the world’s attention.
