Al-Ahli vs Al-Riyadh: A Clash of Styles in Saudi Football

Marino Pusic has shown his hand. On a hot Saudi Friday, the Al-Ahli coach has pushed his chips to the middle of the table with a bold, front-foot selection for the fifth round clash with Al-Riyadh.

This is not a side picked to edge its way through a contest. It is a side picked to grab it by the throat.

At the heart of it sits an aggressive attacking trident: Francisco Trincao, Wanderson Galeno and Ivan Toney. Width, pace, and a penalty-box predator. On paper, it is a front line built to stretch a game to breaking point.

Behind them, Pusic has gone with a structure that should keep the supply lines flowing. Edouard Mendy starts in goal, the experienced anchor to a back four of Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez and Saad Balobaid. It is a blend of physicality and mobility, with Ibanez expected to marshal the line and step in when Al-Ahli squeeze up the pitch.

In midfield, Valentin Atangana and Artem Bondarenko form the engine room, with Edward Spertsyan given the licence to knit play and feed the forwards. If Al-Ahli are to dominate the ball, that trio will need to dictate the rhythm and win second balls high up the pitch.

Al-Ahli XI: Edouard Mendy; Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez, Saad Balobaid; Valentin Atangana, Artem Bondarenko, Edward Spertsyan; Francisco Trincao, Wanderson Galeno, Ivan Toney.

Across from them, Al-Riyadh arrive with a line-up that suggests resilience first, ambition second. Milan Borjan stands in goal, shielded by Sultan Al-Issa, Abdelilah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal and Sulaiman Hazazi. It looks like a unit built to absorb pressure, stay compact, and frustrate.

The midfield of Fahad Jizani, Victor Lekhal and Teddy Okou hints at industry and balance, while Issam Bahri and Hassan Al-Ali carry the attacking burden. Their task is clear: punish any over-commitment from Pusic’s adventurous side and turn Al-Ahli’s dominance of territory into a vulnerability on the break.

Al-Riyadh XI: Milan Borjan; Sultan Al-Issa, Abdelilah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal, Sulaiman Hazazi; Fahad Jizani, Victor Lekhal, Teddy Okou; Issam Bahri, Hassan Al-Ali.

Two line-ups, two statements of intent. Al-Ahli promise front-foot football and relentless attacking patterns. Al-Riyadh answer with organisation and the threat of a counterpunch.

Now it comes down to which plan holds under the floodlights.