Al Hilal’s defensive options stretched after Al Ahli win

Al Hilal will be without Ali Lajami for four matches after injuries left Simone Inzaghi facing a defensive shortage following Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Al Ahli.

The Saudi Pro League champions defeated their traditional rivals at Kingdom Arena in a rescheduled fixture from the third round, but the result came at a cost.

Saudi Arabia defender Lajami was forced off with a hamstring injury, while France international Theo Hernandez also left the match after suffering a problem. Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly sustained a significant head injury but played on until the final whistle.

Al Hilal confirmed details of the injuries through the club’s official account on X, including the fitness concerns that affected the squad before the match.

Lajami’s injury appears to be the most serious. The defender has received treatment in the medical clinic and is due to undergo a scan on Thursday to assess the extent of the damage.

Saudi journalist Hamed Al-Qarni reported that Lajami is expected to miss Al Hilal’s next four matches. Those games are against Al Shabab, Neom and Al Taawoun in the Roshn Saudi League, followed by the AFC Champions League Elite meeting with Qatar’s Al Gharafa.

The club’s update also indicated that Yusuf Akcicek was being treated for knee pain. The Turkey defender’s condition was one of the reasons he was unavailable for the Al Ahli match.

Al Hilal’s social media post said:

“Ali Lajami has a muscle injury and is expected to miss the matches against Al Shabab, Neom, Al Taawoun and Al Gharafa. Yusuf has a knee injury. Mishal Al-Dawsari will join the national team taking part in the Asian Games before the matches against Neom, Al Taawoun and Al Gharafa. Good luck to the team, and may Al Hilal overcome the shortage of substitutes in the centre-back position.”

The situation means Inzaghi is likely to rely on Hassan Tambakti and Koulibaly as his central defensive pairing in the coming fixtures. Al Hilal currently have no similarly strong replacement available in that position.

There is also uncertainty over Hernandez, who suffered a groin injury during the derby. He will have a scan on Thursday, with the results expected to show how serious the problem is and whether he can return soon.

Al Hilal’s defensive difficulties come at a demanding stage of the season. The club are preparing to face local neighbours Al Shabab in a major derby on Friday, in the fifth round of the Roshn Saudi League.

The match will be followed by fixtures against Neom and Al Taawoun, before the Asian encounter with Al Gharafa. In addition to Lajami’s absence, Mishal Al-Dawsari is expected to join the Saudi Arabia squad competing at the Asian Games before those matches, further reducing the options available to the coaching staff.