Al Hilal spring selection surprises before Al Ahli clash as Bondarenko misses squad

Simone Inzaghi has made a series of unexpected selection decisions for Al Hilal’s Saudi classic against traditional rivals Al Ahli, with Ollie Watkins and Mohammed Kanno named among the substitutes and Hassan Tambakti left out of the starting line-up.

The match is being played at Kingdom Arena on Tuesday after being postponed from the third round of the Roshn Saudi League.

Watkins, Al Hilal’s new England striker, had been widely expected to start after several reports indicated he would lead the attack. Instead, Inzaghi has selected Ivory Coast forward Mohamed Kader Meite in the central attacking role.

Meite will be supported by Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville and Saudi Arabia international Sultan Mandash, while Watkins will begin the game on the bench.

Kanno, the experienced Saudi Arabia midfielder, was also left out of the starting XI. Nasser Al-Dawsari has been chosen in his place, alongside Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves and Serbia international Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Inzaghi has made another change in defence by deciding not to start Tambakti, who has only recently returned from injury. Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Lajami will form the central defensive partnership, with Mohammed Mahzari and France left-back Theo Hernandez operating in the wide defensive positions.

The changes underline the scale of Inzaghi’s selection reshuffle for a fixture between two of Saudi Arabia’s leading clubs. Al Hilal come into the game second in the league table with nine points from three victories.

Bondarenko omitted by Al Ahli

Al Ahli manager Marino Pusic has also made a notable decision before kick-off, excluding Ukrainian midfielder Artem Bondarenko from the squad altogether.

Bondarenko faced strong criticism from Al Ahli supporters after his performance in the club’s 3-1 defeat by Al Kholood in the fourth round. Pusic has responded by leaving him out of the group for the clash with Al Hilal.

France midfielder Valentin Atangana and Ziyad Al-Johani are expected to operate in central midfield for Al Ahli, with Armenia playmaker Eduard Spertsyan positioned ahead of them.

England striker Ivan Toney will lead the Al Ahli attack. He is set to be joined in the forward line by Brazil winger Galeno and Portugal international Francisco Trincao, while Saleh Abu Al-Shamat has been named among the substitutes.

Al Ahli sit seventh in the Roshn Saudi League standings with six points from two wins and one defeat.

The fixture therefore brings together an Al Hilal side with a perfect record from its opening three matches and an Al Ahli team looking to recover from its loss to Al Kholood. Both managers have used the occasion to make significant changes, with Watkins, Kanno, Tambakti and Bondarenko among the most prominent names affected by the final team selections.