Al-Hilal's manager, Portuguese Jorge Jesus , expressed his deep concern regarding the injury sustained by the team's star midfielder, Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, during the intense match against Al-Ahli in the Saudi Professional League. In his remarks at the post-match press conference, Jesus indicated that initial examinations raised suspicions of a possible fracture in the player's ribcage.
According to the coach, the match was characterized by rough play and intense physical challenges, resulting in several players sustaining various injuries. Jesus said, “The match was extremely physical, and we saw Savic suffer an injury that we suspect is a fracture. Hamad Al-Yami and Mutaib Al-Harbi also sustained injuries, which reflects the high level of competition in the match.”.
Background of the event and the importance of the player
This injury comes at a crucial time in the season for Al-Hilal, who are striving to maintain their lead in the Roshan League standings and compete strongly on all domestic and continental fronts. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who joined Al-Hilal in a big-money transfer from Italian side Lazio, is considered a key player in Jorge Jesus's squad. Since his arrival, the Serbian international has added tremendous strength to the "Leaders'" midfield thanks to his exceptional physical abilities, his vision in playmaking, and his well-rounded defensive and offensive contributions.
Expected impact and upcoming challenges
Savic displayed remarkable fighting spirit throughout the match, insisting on finishing the game despite the pain, in an effort to help his teammates achieve a positive result. This act reflects the player's importance and dedication, but at the same time raises concerns among the coaching and medical staff about the possibility of the injury worsening.
If Savic's fracture is confirmed, his absence will be a major blow to Al-Hilal's ambitions. The team will lose a pivotal player who cannot be easily replaced, presenting coach Jesus with a significant challenge in finding suitable tactical solutions to fill the void he will leave. Al-Hilal fans will be eagerly awaiting the results of the detailed medical examinations in the coming hours, hoping that the injury is not serious and that their Serbian star will return to the pitch as soon as possible to continue the team's journey towards winning titles.
