Al-Hilal’s defensive crisis deepens as injuries strike in Al-Ahli classic

Al-Hilal’s defensive resources were severely depleted by injury during their Roshn Saudi League meeting with traditional rivals Al-Ahli on Tuesday.

The match, which was postponed from the third round of the Saudi competition, was played at Kingdom Arena, where Al-Hilal suffered a series of setbacks across its back line.

Saudi defender Ali Lajami was the first casualty, being forced off during the first half. Hassan Tambakti came on in his place, despite only recently returning from a lengthy injury absence.

Tambakti’s introduction was required in part because Turkish defender Yusuf Akcicek was also unavailable after suffering an injury. The changes meant Al-Hilal had already been forced to alter its defensive structure before the interval.

The problems continued shortly after the start of the second half when France international Theo Hernandez was unable to carry on. Moteb Al-Harbi replaced the left-back.

A further blow followed when Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly suffered a serious head injury after a heavy collision with Al-Ahli midfielder Valentin Atangana.

Koulibaly sustained significant bleeding and had to have his head bandaged. However, Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi decided against substituting him, with his side already short of defensive options.

The sequence of incidents meant every member of Al-Hilal’s defensive unit was affected by injury during the match, with the sole exception of right-back Mohammed Mahzari.

Lajami’s early departure brought Tambakti into the game despite his recent recovery, while the absence of Akcicek further reduced Inzaghi’s alternatives. Hernandez’s injury then required another defensive switch, before Koulibaly’s collision left Al-Hilal facing an additional concern at the heart of the defence.

The injuries occurred during a high-profile fixture between two of Saudi Arabia’s traditional rivals. Al-Hilal had hosted Al-Ahli at Kingdom Arena for the rearranged league encounter, but the contest quickly became defined by the repeated disruption to the home side’s defensive line.

Inzaghi’s decision to keep Koulibaly on reflected the limited options available to him after the earlier injuries. With Lajami, Akcicek, Hernandez and Koulibaly all affected, Al-Hilal’s defensive cover was stretched to the limit.

The match therefore produced an unusual situation in which the club’s defensive players were either forced off, unavailable before kick-off or required medical treatment during the game. Only Mahzari avoided the injury problems that affected the rest of the defensive group.