Al Hilal turn to Sultan Mandash as Malcom’s attacking role comes under scrutiny

Al Hilal have named Sultan Mandash in their starting line-up for Thursday’s meeting with Al Feiha in the second round of the Roshn Saudi League, with the winger taking the place of the departed Malcom.

Italian manager Simone Inzaghi has otherwise kept faith with the side that began Al Hilal’s previous match. Mandash’s selection on the right wing is the only change to the team, giving him an immediate opportunity to fill the attacking position left vacant by the Brazilian’s departure.

Al Hilal’s starting line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou

Defenders: Muteb Al-Harbi, Ali Lajami, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mohammed Mahzari

Midfielders: Mohamed Kanno, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Forwards: Crysencio Summerville, Karim Benzema, Sultan Mandash

Inzaghi will hope Mandash can provide the attacking contribution previously supplied by Malcom, with the winger handed a starting opportunity to demonstrate that he can occupy the position during the next stage of the season.

The decision represents Al Hilal’s first significant test in attack since Malcom’s exit. Rather than reshaping the team, Inzaghi has chosen to preserve the structure used in the opening match and make only the change required by the Brazilian winger’s departure.

Al Hilal began their league campaign with a victory over Al-Faisaly and are now seeking a second consecutive win in the competition. The squad still contains several options among the substitutes, giving Inzaghi alternatives during the match if he decides further changes are needed.

Much of the attention will be focused on Al Hilal’s new-look attacking trio of Summerville, Benzema and Mandash. The club will be aiming to maintain its attacking strength, continue collecting points and make a positive start to this new phase without Malcom.

Mandash’s performance will therefore be closely watched as he makes his first start in the role. His ability to combine with Benzema and Summerville could prove important as Al Hilal attempt to maintain the momentum created by their opening-day success.

The match also offers an early indication of how successfully Inzaghi’s side can absorb the change in personnel. For now, the Italian has opted for continuity across the rest of the line-up, placing responsibility on Mandash to provide the one alteration needed for Al Hilal’s next league challenge.