Hilal selection reshuffle as new signing Mahzari starts and Darwin Nunez leads attack in MC Alger friendly

Italian coach Simone Inzaghi handed a surprise start to new right-back Mohamed Mahzari and named Darwin Nunez in his XI as Al Hilal faced MC Alger in a pre-season friendly in Austria.

Hilal meet the Algerian side in what is their third warm-up match of their training camp, part of preparations for the 2026-27 campaign.

Inzaghi confirmed his line-up shortly before kick-off, with Mahzari included from the outset despite expectations he would be eased in more gradually following his arrival from Al Taawoun.

Earlier on Wednesday, Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah reported that Mahzari and Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves had undergone physical and fitness tests in the morning and were considered unlikely to feature against MC Alger.

Mahzari only linked up with Hilal’s training camp on Monday, having been officially announced as a new signing from Al Taawoun.

Somerville held back as Nunez starts

While Mahzari was thrust straight into the starting line-up, fellow new recruit Crysencio Summerville began the game on the bench.

The Netherlands forward, signed from West Ham United, has travelled with the squad to Austria but Inzaghi opted to delay his first start, with suggestions the winger could be introduced for a brief appearance in the second half.

The inclusion of Nunez was another notable element of Inzaghi’s selection, with the Uruguay striker starting up front despite ongoing speculation over his future at the club.

Nunez has been widely linked with a move away from Hilal during the current summer transfer window, and there have also been reports he could be left out of the domestic squad list even if he stays.

For this friendly, Inzaghi deployed Nunez as the central striker, supported in attack by Ivorian forward Mohamed Kader Meti and Brazilian winger Malcom, whose own name has also been mentioned in reports about potential departures.

Austria camp nears conclusion

The match against MC Alger continues a positive pre-season run for Hilal in Austria.

“Al Zaeem” began their camp with a 2-1 win over Austrian side Sturm Graz, then followed that with a 2-0 victory against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

The fixture with MC Alger is part of the final phase of Hilal’s overseas preparations before they return to Saudi Arabia ahead of the new season.

Hilal are scheduled to complete their Austrian programme on 3 August, when they face Al Ahli of Qatar in their last friendly of the camp.

The squad will then travel back to Riyadh to finalise readiness for the domestic and continental competitions that await in 2026-27.