Al-Ahli vs Al-Riyadh: Bold Strategy in Saudi League Clash

Marino Pusic has shown his hand. Al-Ahli are going bold.

For today’s Saudi League clash with Al-Riyadh, the Al-Ahli coach has rolled out a front line built to hurt teams, not just contain them. Francisco Trincao, Wanderson Galeno and Ivan Toney all start, an attacking trident that leaves no doubt about Pusic’s intentions in this fifth-round fixture.

Behind them, there’s structure to match the ambition. Edouard Mendy anchors the side in goal, with a back four of Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez and Saad Balobaid tasked with giving that forward line the freedom to roam. In midfield, Valentin Atangana, Artem Bondarenko and Edward Spertsyan form a hard-working, creative trio expected to link play quickly into the front three.

Al-Ahli XI

Edouard Mendy; Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez, Saad Balobaid; Valentin Atangana, Artem Bondarenko, Edward Spertsyan; Francisco Trincao, Wanderson Galeno, Ivan Toney.

Al-Riyadh will try to spoil the party with a more measured setup. Milan Borjan starts in goal, protected by a defensive line of Sultan Al-Issa, Abdelilah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal and Sulaiman Hazazi. Fahad Jizani and Victor Lekhal operate in midfield, with Teddy Okou, Issam Bahri and Hassan Al-Ali providing the support and running ahead.

Al-Riyadh XI

Milan Borjan; Sultan Al-Issa, Abdelilah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal, Sulaiman Hazazi; Fahad Jizani, Victor Lekhal; Teddy Okou, Issam Bahri, Hassan Al-Ali.

One side is clearly built to attack, the other to absorb and counter. Now it’s down to 90 minutes to see which plan holds.