Al Ahli reshuffle ahead of Al Hilal showdown after Al Kholood setback

Al Ahli head coach Marino Pusic has left new signing Artem Bondarenko out of his squad for Tuesday’s postponed Roshn Saudi League meeting with Al Hilal, following the Ukrainian’s disappointing performance in the defeat by Al Kholood.

The decision comes as Al Ahli attempt to recover from a damaging 3-1 loss and restore some balance against one of the strongest teams in the competition. Al Hilal, meanwhile, will approach the fixture looking to extend their winning run and strengthen their position in the title race.

Bondarenko, who recently joined Al Ahli, was expected to provide an extra dimension to the side. However, his display against Al Kholood failed to meet the expectations of Pusic and the club’s coaching staff.

The decision to exclude the midfielder was reported by Waleed Saeed, a media figure regarded as being close to Al Ahli. According to Saeed, Pusic opted not to include Bondarenko in the squad for the latest edition of the Saudi league’s eagerly anticipated ‘clasico’.

The move appears to reflect the Dutch manager’s dissatisfaction with what Bondarenko produced in the previous match. The player struggled to make the expected impact, while Al Ahli as a whole delivered a weak performance in the 3-1 defeat.

Pusic has therefore made an early adjustment before a considerably tougher test. Al Hilal possess a range of attacking threats capable of punishing defensive mistakes, making concentration, discipline and physical readiness particularly important for Al Ahli.

Bondarenko pays the price for Al Kholood display

Bondarenko’s showing against Al Kholood was not treated as an isolated issue by the technical staff. He arrived at Al Ahli with significant expectations, but his first opportunity to demonstrate his value did not result in the influence or quality the club had hoped he would provide.

His omission suggests Pusic is unwilling to select a player unless he believes that individual is fully prepared to contribute at the required level. That stance is particularly relevant before a match against Al Hilal, where even small errors can quickly change the outcome.

The decision also sends a message to the rest of the Al Ahli squad. A place in the starting line-up or matchday group cannot be assumed, regardless of a player’s transfer value, reputation or previous achievements.

Every member of the squad must continue to prove their suitability through performances and work on the pitch. For Bondarenko, the immediate consequence is a place outside the group for the Al Hilal fixture, after a difficult night against Al Kholood.

The match is the postponed fixture from the third round of the Roshn Saudi League and will be played on Tuesday evening. Al Ahli will be seeking a response after their heavy defeat, while Al Hilal will aim to maintain their momentum in the competition.

A related report also stated that Al Hilal had officially ended their association with Karim Benzema, with the development attributed to Al Waleed.