Al-Ahli's Bold Attack Against Al-Riyadh 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 coach has rolled out an aggressive front line, pairing creativity with power in a clear statement of intent in this fifth-round fixture.
Al-Ahli go all-in up front
Pusic builds his side around an attacking trident of Francisco Trincao, Wanderson Galeno and Ivan Toney, a trio built to stretch defences and punish any lapse.
Behind them, Edouard Mendy starts in goal, the experienced stopper anchoring a back four of Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez and Saad Balobaid. It’s a unit designed to give Ibanez room to step out while keeping enough balance to cope with transitions.
In midfield, Valentin Atangana and Artem Bondarenko provide the platform, tasked with both screening the defence and feeding the forward line. Edward Spertsyan operates ahead of them, the creative link between the lines and the man expected to knit attacks together.
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 set up to spoil and strike
Al-Riyadh answer with a more measured shape, hinting at resilience and counter-punching rather than a shootout.
Milan Borjan starts between the posts, protected by a defensive line of Sultan Al-Issa, Abdelilah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal and Sulaiman Hazazi. In front of them, Fahad Jizani and Victor Lekhal bring industry in midfield, charged with breaking up Al-Ahli’s rhythm.
Teddy Okou and Issam Bahri offer width and legs, while Hassan Al-Ali leads the line, ready to chase anything that drops in behind.
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 loaded with firepower, the other braced to absorb and counter. If Pusic’s gamble pays off, Al-Ahli could send a message to the rest of the league. If Al-Riyadh stand firm, this might be the night the title contenders are forced to rethink.
