Simone Inzaghi turns to Simon Bouabre for Al Hilal’s clash with Al Ittihad

Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi is set to hand Simon Bouabre a starting role in midfield for Saturday’s Roshn Saudi League meeting with Al Ittihad, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic ruled out through injury.

The two clubs meet at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in the eighth round of the league season. Alongside the Serbian midfielder, Al Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari will also miss the match.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Inzaghi has decided to select the Frenchman as the replacement for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Italian coach is understood to be seeking a midfielder capable of contributing more significantly in attack, which has led him to view Bouabre as the most suitable option.

Bouabre’s expected inclusion is a surprise, however, given that the 20-year-old has not been named in Al Hilal’s squad for any of their past seven Roshn Saudi League matches since the start of the current season.

He has made just one appearance for the club this campaign. That came in September, when Al Hilal beat Qatari side Al Gharafa 2-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite. Bouabre was substituted in the 66th minute.

Since joining Al Hilal in January, the midfielder has played 12 matches for the club. He has started four of those games and appeared as a substitute in the other eight, but has yet to score or provide an assist.

Inzaghi’s decision would therefore represent Bouabre’s first league appearance of the season and his first opportunity to fill the role normally occupied by the injured Serbian international.