Riyad Mahrez’s hopes of securing his first title with Al Ahli SC were dashed on Tuesday as his team was eliminated from the Saudi Super Cup following a tense penalty shootout against Al Hilal. The semi-final clash ended in a 1-1 draw, but it was in the penalty shootout where the game slipped away from Al Ahli, who lost 4-1.
In a surprising turn of events, Mahrez, one of the team’s star players, was notably absent from the shootout. Alongside him, Franck Kessié, another key player, also did not take a penalty.
This decision left many fans and analysts puzzled, particularly given the reputation of both players for handling high-pressure situations.
Franck Kessié addressed the decision in the mixed zone after the match, explaining, “I was supposed to shoot in the fourth position and Riyad Mahrez in the fifth, but the match ended before our turn came.”
The match concluded before either could step up, leaving the responsibility to other teammates, who unfortunately faltered.
Al Ahli’s coach, Matthias Jaissle, later shed light on his strategy during the post-match press conference. ”
I chose Riyad Mahrez and Franck Kessié for the last two shots because they are the most difficult,” Jaissle revealed, indicating that he had deliberately positioned them for the final penalties, anticipating that their experience would be crucial in the later stages of the shootout.
However, this plan backfired as the earlier shooters missed, sealing Al Ahli’s fate before Mahrez and Kessié could even take their shots.
This result adds to what has been a challenging debut season for Mahrez in Saudi Arabia. Despite providing an assist during the match, his contributions weren’t enough to secure victory.
The former Manchester City star, who was expected to make a significant impact in the Saudi Pro League, now finds himself without a title as his team exits one of the key competitions of the season.
Mahrez’s omission from the shootout, coupled with Al Ahli’s defeat, has sparked discussion about the team’s strategy and the role of its star players in crucial moments.
For Mahrez, who has a history of taking and scoring decisive penalties in his career, this experience marks a rare moment where he was not directly involved in a high-stakes conclusion.
As Al Ahli regroups after this setback, the focus will undoubtedly shift to how they can better utilize their marquee players in future critical situations.
For Mahrez, this loss is a reminder that the road to success in a new league can be fraught with unexpected challenges.
His ability to bounce back from this disappointment will be closely watched as the season progresses.
The decision to save Mahrez and Kessié for the later penalties will likely be scrutinized in the coming days, with some questioning whether the coach’s strategy was too cautious.
However, for Al Ahli, the immediate priority will be to move forward and prepare for the remaining competitions, hoping that their star players can deliver when it matters most.
