Al-Ahli vs Al-Riyadh: Bold Line-Up for Saudi League Showdown

Marino Pusic has shown his hand. Al-Ahli go bold.

For the fifth round of the Saudi league against Al-Riyadh on Friday, the Al-Ahli head coach has rolled out an aggressive front line built to dominate the ball and the scoreboard. Francisco Trincao, Wanderson Galeno and Ivan Toney lead the attack, a trident that screams intent rather than caution.

Behind them, Pusic sticks with experience and structure. Edouard Mendy starts in goal, protected by a back four of Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez and Saad Balobaid. Valentin Atangana and Artem Bondarenko form the base in midfield, with Edward Spertsyan tasked with linking play to that dangerous 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.

Across from them, Al-Riyadh answer with a more measured setup, one that looks built to absorb pressure and strike when the gaps appear. Milan Borjan takes his place between the posts, with a defensive line of Sultan Al-Issa, Abdelilah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal and Sulaiman Hazazi in front of him.

Fahad Jizani and Victor Lekhal are named in midfield, while Teddy Okou, Issam Bahri and Hassan Al-Ali carry the creative and attacking burden.

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 for the storm. The line-ups leave little doubt: this should be a test of whether Al-Ahli’s ambition can break Al-Riyadh’s resistance.