Al-Hilal’s manager Simone Inzaghi faces a challenging situation as his team prepares to play against Al-Taawoun in the Roshen League. The match is set to take place at the Kingdom Arena, a key venue for the club.
Injuries and Absences Impact Line-up
Inzaghi has been compelled to rely on several substitutes due to multiple players being unavailable. His starting line-up features just seven foreign players, reflecting the team’s current injury crisis and suspensions.
Key Players Missing
- Sergej Milinković-Savić: Out due to accumulated yellow cards.
- Karim Benzema: Sidelined with an injury.
- Simon Bouabri: Injured and unable to participate.
- Yusuf Akçıkçık: Also absent due to injury.
- Salem Al-Dossari: Key local winger out with injury.
- Sultan Mandash: Missing due to injury.
- Nasser Al-Dossari: Injured midfielder unable to play.
- Hamad Al-Yami: Right-back sidelined with injury.
Strategic Approaches
With many regular players out, Inzaghi has looked to alternative options. In the attack, he is counting on Brazilian Marcos Leonardo and Ivorian Mohamed Kader Miti, with support from Brazilian winger Malcom, taking the place of the injured star players.
In the midfield, Murad Hawsawi joins Mohammed Kanno and Portuguese Ruben Neves. This adjustment aims to cover the absences of Milinković-Savić and Nasser Al-Dossari, ensuring the team remains competitive.
Youth Players on the Bench
Inzaghi has also incorporated several players from Al-Hilal’s Under-21 squad onto the substitutes’ bench, including:
- Abdulaziz Al-Jarmoush
- Mishaal Al-Dawood
- Abdullah Al-Zaid
- Mohammed Al-Zaid
- Suhaib Al-Zaid
- Saad Al-Mutairi
Current League Standing
Al-Hilal currently holds the second position in the Saudi Pro League table with 64 points. They trail behind leaders Al-Nassr, who have played one additional game. Inzaghi is determined to keep his team in the title race despite the challenges posed by injuries and absences.
Confirmed Line-up Against Al-Taawoun
The selected players for the match are as follows:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Yassine Bounou |
| Defense | Mutaib Al-Harbi, Hassan Tambakti, Kalidou Koulibaly, Theo Hernández |
| Midfield | Murad Hawsawi, Ruben Neves, Mohammed Kanno |
| Forward | Malcom, Marcos Leonardo, Mohamed Kader Miti |
Inzaghi and Al-Hilal now aim to navigate these difficulties and secure a victory against Al-Taawoun to maintain their pursuit of the league title.
