Al-Hilal, the Saudi Professional League leaders, are preparing for a crucial match in the 22nd round of the competition, as they host Al-Ettifaq at the Kingdom Arena. The team received a significant morale and tactical boost ahead of this encounter with the return of their solid international defender, Hassan Tambakti , to the squad.
Timbukti missed the previous match against Al-Akhdoud, which Al-Hilal won 3-0, due to an accumulation of yellow cards. His return is a vital boost to the defense led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, as Timbukti forms a strong and cohesive defensive partnership with veteran Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, which has significantly contributed to the team's impressive defensive record this season.
General context and importance of the match
This match comes at a time when Al-Hilal continues its exceptional run in the league, comfortably leading the standings and maintaining an unbeaten record. The "Leader" aims to extend its historic winning streak and secure the domestic title as soon as possible, especially with the team entering crucial stages of other competitions, such as the King's Cup and the AFC Champions League.
On the other side, Al-Ettifaq, led by English coach Steven Gerrard, enters the match with the ambition of achieving a positive result against the league leaders. Despite the difference in the two teams' positions in the standings, matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq are always highly competitive, and the "Knights of Ad-Dahna" (Al-Ettifaq's nickname) seek to strengthen their position in the middle of the table and deliver a performance worthy of the caliber of players in their squad.
The impact of Timbuktu's return on Al-Hilal's strength
Hassan Tambakti, 25, is one of the most prominent defenders in Saudi football today and a key player for the Saudi national team. His move to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023 was a strategic acquisition that strengthened the team's defensive depth. His return provides coach Jesus with a strong option, giving the team greater solidity against the organized attacking play that Al-Ettifaq might employ.
Having Timbuktu alongside Koulibaly not only guarantees strength in aerial and ground duels, but also gives the team the advantage of building play from the back thanks to both players' ability to accurately pass. This defensive stability allows midfielders and forwards, such as Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Aleksandar Mitrovic, to focus on their attacking duties with greater confidence, which explains Al Hilal's formidable attacking force this season.
