Al-Ahli's Heavyweight Attack: Pusic's Strategy Against Al-Riyadh
Marino Pusic has made his intentions clear. Al-Ahli are not easing their way into this Saudi league campaign; they are going for the throat.
For the fifth-round clash with Al-Riyadh on Friday, the Al-Ahli coach has unleashed an aggressive front line of Francisco Trincao, Wanderson Galeno and Ivan Toney – a trident built for damage, not caution.
Behind them, Pusic has gone with experience and balance. Edouard Mendy starts in goal, protected by a back four of Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Bakr, Roger Ibanez and Saad Balobaid. It is a defensive unit with enough steel to allow the attackers to play on the front foot.
The midfield has a clear engine and creator mix. Valentin Atangana and Artem Bondarenko offer legs and control in the centre, while Edward Spertsyan operates higher up, linking play and feeding the wide men and Toney. On paper, it is a structure designed to keep Al-Ahli camped in the opposition half for long spells.
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.
Al-Riyadh, though, have not turned up to be sparring partners.
Milan Borjan anchors their side from between the posts, with Sultan Al-Issa, Abdelilah Al-Khaibari, Rodrigo Abascal and Sulaiman Hazazi forming the defensive line in front of him. Fahad Jizani and Victor Lekhal sit in midfield, charged with breaking up Al-Ahli’s rhythm and launching counters when the chance appears.
Teddy Okou, Issam Bahri and Hassan Al-Ali provide the attacking thrust, looking to exploit any space left by Al-Ahli’s adventurous shape. One clean break, one lapse in concentration, and the underdogs could tilt the night their way.
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.
With Pusic pushing his stars high up the pitch and Al-Riyadh arming themselves to absorb and strike, this does not look like a quiet fifth-round fixture. It looks like a test of nerve: can Al-Ahli’s firepower overwhelm, or will Al-Riyadh’s resistance turn this into a very awkward evening?
