Trezeguet starts for Al Riyadh against Al Shabab in search for first Saudi Pro League win

Mahamoud Hassan “Trezeguet” will start for Al Riyadh against Al Shabab in the third round of the Saudi Pro League as his side look to claim their first victory of the season.

Trezeguet has featured in all three of Al Riyadh’s matches since the start of the campaign. He played in league defeats by Al Ettifaq and Al Nassr before appearing in the King’s Cup round of 32 against Al Zulfi.

The Egypt international is named in an attacking line-up alongside Teddy Okou and Leandro Antunes, with Al Riyadh hoping to recover from a difficult opening to their league campaign.

Al Riyadh’s starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Milan Borjan

Defenders: Sultan Al-Eissa, Emiliano Abascal, Suleiman Hazzazi

Midfielders: Kader Keita, Abdulilah Al-Khaibari, Victor Lekhal, Bernard Mensah

Forwards: Mahamoud Hassan Trezeguet, Teddy Okou, Leandro Antunes

Trezeguet has already made a decisive contribution in the King’s Cup this season. He provided an assist in Al Riyadh’s 2-0 victory over Al Zulfi, a result that secured their place in the last 16 of the competition.

His side have endured a very different start in the Saudi Pro League. Al Riyadh lost 4-2 to Al Ettifaq in their opening match before suffering a heavier 4-0 defeat against Al Nassr in the second round.

Those results leave Al Riyadh bottom of the league table without a point. They are level on zero points with Al Fateh and Al Faisaly, although the club currently occupies last place in the standings.

The match against Al Shabab gives Al Riyadh the opportunity to end that run and record their first league win of the season. Trezeguet’s inclusion from the start maintains his uninterrupted involvement in the team’s matches since the campaign began.

The 30-year-old joined Al Riyadh during the summer transfer window on a free transfer after ending his contract with Al Ahly. He has now featured in league and cup fixtures for his new club, with his assist against Al Zulfi representing his first recorded direct contribution to a goal for Al Riyadh this season.

Al Riyadh will therefore aim to build on that cup success when they face Al Shabab, while Trezeguet starts in an attacking role as the club attempt to move away from the bottom of the Saudi Pro League table.