Al-Ahli’s Enzo Millot punished by Al-Ettifaq after costly pre-season mistake

Enzo Millot came under renewed pressure from Al-Ahli supporters after his misplaced pass handed Al-Ettifaq a second goal in the Saudi club’s final friendly before the 2026-27 season.

Al-Ahli faced Al-Ettifaq on Wednesday in their last warm-up match ahead of the new campaign. The Saudi side were already trailing by one goal when the decisive error came in the 31st minute.

During an attempt to build from the back, goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi played the ball to Millot near the edge of Al-Ahli’s penalty area. Rather than finding one of his team-mates, the French midfielder passed directly to Al-Ettifaq forward Yasser Al-Shammari.

Al-Shammari took advantage of the mistake and converted the opportunity, putting the ball into the net to give Al-Ettifaq a two-goal advantage.

The error provoked a strong reaction from Al-Ahli supporters, who have already called for Millot to leave the club during the current summer transfer window. The midfielder has nevertheless remained with the Saudi side, particularly because no suitable offers have arrived for him.

Millot’s latest mistake is likely to intensify the scrutiny surrounding his position at Al-Ahli. The former Stuttgart player had previously angered sections of the club’s support with a significant drop in form after an encouraging start to his time in Saudi Arabia.

He joined Al-Ahli from Stuttgart during last summer’s transfer window and initially made a positive impression. However, his performances declined considerably, leading to him spending most of the season on the substitutes’ bench.

Despite the frustration among supporters, Millot could begin the forthcoming campaign as a regular starter. His chances may have increased following the departure of Ivory Coast international Franck Kessie, who left Al-Ahli after the end of last season.

The midfielder’s role will therefore remain a closely watched issue as Al-Ahli prepare for 2026-27. His latest contribution against Al-Ettifaq, however, came at the wrong end of the pitch, with his attempted pass in the build-up providing the opposition with a straightforward route to goal.

The incident was particularly damaging because it came in the final friendly before competitive action begins and while Al-Ahli were still chasing the match. It also revived concerns among supporters who had already wanted the club to move Millot on during the summer.

For now, the Frenchman remains an Al-Ahli player. But after giving Al-Ettifaq the opportunity to score through a costly lapse in possession, he heads into the new season facing further questions from the club’s fans.