The medical and technical staff at Al-Nassr FC are working intensively to prepare French defender Mohamed Simakan for the upcoming match against Al-Fateh FC in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This match is of particular importance to Al-Nassr, who are looking to maintain pressure on league leaders Al-Hilal in the title race.
Background of the injury and the player's importance to the team
The 25-year-old French defender sustained an injury during his team's last match against Al-Ittihad, raising concerns among the coaching staff led by Portuguese manager Luis Castro. Although initial tests did not reveal a serious injury, the player was experiencing knee pain, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming match against Al-Fateh. Simakan has been a key player in Al-Nassr's defense since joining the team, forming a strong partnership with Spaniard Aymeric Laporte and contributing significantly to the team's defensive balance.
General context and competition in the Roshan League
This preparation comes at a crucial time in the Saudi football season, which is witnessing unprecedented global attention following the arrival of a constellation of international football stars, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr. Al-Nassr currently sits second in the Roshan League standings with 49 points, just behind leaders Al-Hilal, making every match a final where dropping any points is unacceptable. Any slip-up could widen the gap and complicate the team's quest to reclaim the title. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh, currently tenth with 24 points, aims to improve its position in the standings and deliver a strong performance against one of the top contenders for the championship.
Numbers and impact of Simakan this season
Mohammed Simakan, who joined Al-Nassr from German club RB Leipzig, has participated in 23 matches for the club this season across all competitions. During his 1696 minutes of play, he demonstrated impressive defensive capabilities in addition to his attacking contributions, scoring three goals, reflecting his significant value to the team. His absence from the upcoming match against Al-Fateh could be a major blow to Al-Nassr's defense, forcing coach Castro to seek alternatives to maintain the back line's solidity.
Al-Fateh is scheduled to host Al-Nasr next Saturday evening at 8:30 PM, in a match expected to be highly competitive and with a large audience, as all eyes are on the final decision regarding Simakan’s readiness, which may play a pivotal role in determining the outcome.
